Charge for missed appointments

[Guest KiminOrlando]

So, my new doctor wanted me to sign a form saying that I will give them 24 hour notice to cancel an appointment or pay $50. The problem is that my body doesn't give ME 24 hour notice when it decides not to cooperate.  All of my other doctors waive this requirement because they know my diagnosis. This guy wouldn't and refused to see me if I didn't sign. I explained it was a medical disability and I was adjudicated through the court as being disabled. He still wouldn't. I ended up leaving. Do you guys have this problem? I pay enough for medical help I actually get. I can't afford to pay medical bills for help I don't get. 

[bombsh3ll]

5 hours ago, KiminOrlando said:

24 hour notice to cancel an appointment or pay $50.

I can see the point in theory but when it is the illness you are actually seeing them about that makes you sometimes unable to attend at short notice, that should absolutely be taken into consideration. 

Whilst frustrating you are probably better off without this doctor as it doesn't sound like he has much understanding. 

Sorry you are having to deal with this.

B xxx

[Pistol]

@KiminOrlando yes, many of my docs have this in their agreement but in my case they have always been understanding when I had to cancel short-notice and I have never been charged anything for cancelling. My husband actually had an argument with one of his docs about this and he also was told to sign it or they would not see him. But I see the same doc and he has not charged me when I had to cancel when I was too sick to go. I do think they should wife this in your case and I think this doc is wrong for making you agree to this. Sorry this happened to you 🙂

[DizzyPopcorn]

Maybe it's just a bureaucractic issue? They dont really want to charge you the 50$, but its a generic form with other demands / clarifications that has to be signed for their records.

[Random-Symptom Man]

That sucks!

I've had to cancel in the middle of a doctors' visit. I spent about a half hour in the bathroom. When the autonomic nervous system says you gotta go... It is so frustrating!

Can you put it on your credit card? If you have to cancel, get the credit card company to dispute it for you. It would probably be a hassle. You'd probably have to send the CC company your docs showing that you have a disability. Why is it always so hard?

[DizzyPopcorn]

I do not recommend the cc charge back way if you want to hold a relationship with that doctor. 

[Guest KiminOrlando]

I feel like I was being discriminated against because of my disability. It was part of a larger agreement and I was willing to sign it if they would strike that section. Very frustrating, but, if he wasn't able to understand my limitations, he probably wasn't the doctor for me. Treating me is more of a collaboration of trial and error. It also had a clause that I would self pay if insurance didn't pay within 60 days. I can't make Medicare pay if they are waiting for the doctor to correct coding and refile. When doctors get their money, they don't help me get mine back. I certainly can't change coding. It was just a bad fit.