no-shows walk the plank-- execute 'em!

[Guest guest]

nyuck, nyuck, nyuck!that's like the eighties-year old couple looking for a room, or the undertaker who says his customers never complain, only their families.i did a meet-n-greet with a potential new patient the other day, i accepted him for care, and vice versa, and he was scheduled for yesterday afternoon; he called yesterday morning and said that there was an emergency at work, so my assistant rescheduled him for next week.she also told him, as the sign is posted, that there is a $40 no-show fee and that rescheduled appointments must be made 24 hrs in advance, however he would not be charged this time because it was an emergency.i feel comfortable with that, first because emergencies and bad weather occur, and things happen, in addition, i do not feel so inflexible that if i were not totally and completely in charge of the entire universe, that i could not tolerate such an existence; the "Ming the Merciless, Emperor of the Planet Mongo"

syndrome.still, i draw the line at one emergency. if they just plain don't show up, then they've made a decision about seeking care with me.now i agree, this a bad way to begin the relationship, and i did have some hesitation initially as to accepting him, and i did accept him partly because he was a referral from two new patients who are very happy with my care. if he fails a second time, then he will be assessed the no-show fee, and if he does not pay it, i will discharge him from care, without being seen.when a patient makes an appointment, they are expected to keep the appointment. we do not make reminder telephone calls or emails. we are responsible for what we do, and i remind patients that they are responsible for what they do.that being said, i do have other patients who are in some very difficult circumstances, and have missed appointments without rescheduling, i have not charged them, and continue to provide their

care.patients who feel they are listened to, valued and cared about, generally respond appropriately. they value the care they receive and usually behave accordingly.if they don't, why would you want them in your practice?LLMelody Pratt wrote: I do home visits so I never get no shows. I have never found someone not home. Melody <jnantonuccigmail> wrote: I whine. On Feb 8, 2008 9:55 AM, RGMS <rgmscomcast (DOT) net> wrote: How do you all deal with first time patient no shows? I find these folks are the most likely to no show as they have no "bond" yet. Can not "bill" for it since they have not been

here yet and have had one or two that did this more than once! (after a "reasonable excuse for the first NO SHOW) R Ramona G. Seidel, M.D. www.baycrossingfamilymedicine.com Your Bridge to Health polis, MD > > Email may not be totally secure and confidential. > Please consider the following: your employer may monitor your office > email home email is available to anyone

who uses your computer; email > should not be used for emergencies, urgent matters, or highly > sensitive matters such as HIV/AIDS or mental health issues; I cannot > always receive or respond to emails instantaneously: I permanently > place all emails into your medical record. If you are uncomfortable > sending or receiving confidential medical information such as in this

> email, please reply, and I will communicate in some other form in the > future. If I do not receive a reply from you regarding this, I will > assume that you consent to this use of email. > > From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Thursday, February 07, 2008 8:02 PMTo: michelle.eadsworldnet (DOT) att.net; practiceimprovement1 Subject: RE: Fees for forms and no-shows Simple forms, I'll just sign and not waste the time collecting money.Bigger forms (disability, etc), I'll request a visit.No shows ... first one is "on me" but I send a notice to the patient about it ... any after that is charged $30.TimOn Thu, February 7, 2008 7:10 pm EST, Eads

wrote: what fees do people charge for a) form filling, $15 no-shows

$30 and how are they received? If people want their forms filled out, w/o a visit, they are usuallyhappy to pay. No shows usually understand, and I have it in the billing policythey all sign at first visit. Most are very apologetic when they miss as theyvalue my time. I don't always charge for no shows – just when theyare down right disrespectful. A. Eads, M.D. Pinnacle Family Medicine, PLLC phone fax P.O.Box 7275 WoodlandPark, CO 80863 www.PinnacleFamilyMedicine.com From: [mailto: ]On Behalf Of postrioSent: Tuesday, February 05, 20086:29 PMTo: Subject: Fees for forms and no-shows I know this has been posted before but Never miss a thing. Make Yahooyour homepage. ---------------------------------------- Malia, MDMalia Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.Perinton Square MallFairport, NY 14450 (phone / fax)www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMaliawww.SkinSenseLaser.com-- Confidentiality Notice --This email message, including all the attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains confidential information. Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of the original message, including attachments.---------------------------------------- -- If you are a patient please allow up to

4-8 hours for a reply by email/please note the new email address/e mail may not be entirely secure/ MD ph fax Looking for last minute shopping deals? Find them fast with Yahoo! Search.

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