bounced checks and no-shows

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$50 for bounced checks, $40 for missed appointments. probably should make them the same.be firm, or you'll get walked on.i allow for family emergency, really bad weather.LLmagnetdoctor@... wrote: I have been charging $25 for 3 yr, the bank charges me, when the patient check bounces, so I really just break even. This year I raised it to $30. In over 4 yr I've only had about 5 bounced checks. I also added a fee for no shows without 24 hr notice. I hated to do this. I am now the only solo, non hospital

employed MD in a 15 mile radius or more. The local Hospital owned practices are charging "the cost of the visit" if you no show. How they figure out the cost, when you never got your visit is beyond me. I arbitrarily set the fee at $75, hoping it would be so high, that I would never have to collect it. One day before the holidays I had 6 no shows, never in the 5 yr have I had that, generally 1 is a shock, and usually a repeat offender. That day, one no show, was even someone who made the appt that day, another the day before in afternoon! Would like to know how others are handling this. Cote Four Corners Family Medicine, and Laser Aesthetics -------------- Original message -------------- From: "Locke's in Colorado" <lockekcomcast (DOT) net>

Does everyone have their Check Policy in their financial policy? How much do you charge for bounced checks? I'm thinking of charging $25 Average fee in 2001 for bounced check was... http://www.memag.com/memag/Miscellaneous/Financial-Beat/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/117941 Banking: Your accounts are getting pricier Rising bank fees and falling interest rates are reducing the benefits of interest-bearing checking accounts, according to Bankrate.com, an online service that surveys the banking industry. Average monthly service fees on interest accounts climbed nearly 9 percent in the last two years, to $10.43, while the average yield has fallen to 1.17 percent from 1.33 percent since 1998. Bankrate.com's data comes from 353 banks and thrift institutions. The average minimum balance to avoid fees still exceeds $2,200. If you keep $2,000 in a checking account, you

can earn $23 in interest per year, but pay $125 in fees. If your balance routinely falls below the minimum, consider a non-interest-bearing account. Their average monthly fee is $6.18, and the average minimum balance is $416.57. Bank fees for other services are also rising. The charge for a bounced check now averages $24, up about 10 percent in two years, and ATM fees are also going up. Almost 90 percent of the banks surveyed charge non-account holders a fee for each ATM transaction; the average is $1.43. The survey did find one bright spot for consumers: More than 80 percent of banks allow free debit card purchases, up from 73 percent two years ago. Locke, MD

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