They will charge fee if you are late for the appointment

well I used to be a dental nurse, and I think it's completely fair. if you can't make an appointment, it really isn't difficult to phone ahead. when someone doesn't show up, you have the dentist and the dental nurse sat there waiting, both being paid. the money doesn't come from thin air. aside from that, there are people who really need an appointment, and its frustrating when you've also dealt with trying to make someone an appointment and can't find them one for several weeks, and then the people with appointments don't even bother turning up, or even letting you know that they can't. if just the day before you call up and let people know, then usually the appointment can be filled by someone that NEEDS an appointment. someone that may be sat at home with a toothache, or embarassed to go out due to a crown that has fallen out. these people would be better off just because of that phonecall. and worse still, usually the people who are late don't even apologise. they act like nothings happened. and when people are saying about doctors and dentists running late, very often it's because someone earlier in the day was late. other times it's because things are more complicated than anticipated. and I'm sure you'd all like them to do a good job, rather than rushing and doing less than needs to be done. so I think it's fair. if you don't arrive, the staff still need to be payed. you have to be a bit tolerant. someone a bit late because of traffic or struggling to find a parking space doesn't deserve to be unfairly penalised. we usually charged after 15 minutes.

That depends... Can you do the same thing to him? Charge him $40 if you have to wait more than 15 min for him, either in the waiting room or the exam room? If you can, then that's no biggie, it makes both parties responsible. If you can't, then I'd be finding another dr, quick fast & in a hurry.

Hi, kingparker. A couple of years ago, I saw this notice at my dermatologist's doctor. It was stating that if a patient does not call in to cancel their appointment then they would be charged a fee of $20.00 or $40.00. I think that this is just dumb. They are doing this just so that they can get someones money. I think that this is useless. Why would they create something like this. Will this money come out of their insurance fee? Or will they charge this from the patient's own personal pocket? I don't think that it is right to charge a patient a late fee of coming in late during their appointment. I have heard of a no show being charged, but never a late person.. What has become of doctor's so? Aren't they getting paid enough with the number of patients that they receive on a daily and recurring basis??

I don't know that I agree with a charge for being late but I do agree with a charge for missing an appointment without notice. My dentist requires at least 24 hours notice for a missed appointment or it's a $50 fee. I'm pretty sure if you just called first thing in the morning they would wave it though, they have a pretty long list of people looking for last minute appointments. I do think it's legitimate to charge a fee for a missed appointment with no notice. By missing that appointment and not giving them any opportunity to refill it then the patient just cost the office money.

It may sound unfair, but it's not fair for them to keep that spot open for someone and then they don't show up - then they lose money. Being late makes them have to adjust their whole schedule to fit around you. It seems that people are less and less considerate so I don't really blame them.

If that would be the case then they should also have the same policy that if the doctors are late then they are also going to be charged with some fees. But if that's going to happen then a lot of doctors here in our country are gonna get poor cause they are always late. I was suppose to see my doctor last Tuesday but she canceled our appointment so does that mean that she is suppose to pay me? I dont think so. If my doctor would charge me some fee for not being on time then I think I can respect that if the doctor is also on time. But if they are not, then I'd rather go to another doctor.

I can understand it more when someone doesn't show up, but if I'm late...? When I'm on time and have to sit in the waiting room for an hour, what difference does it make if I'm late or not? I think I would find another dentist or doctor and tell them why.

I do not think its fair because they can charge you a late fee when you are late but how many times have I sat in the same doctors office waiting wayyyy longer then 15 minutes to see the doctor for my sceduled appointment. I am not given money if the doctor doesnt get me in on time for my appointment so why should they get extra money if I am late.

there's a few places we're with, namely professional places. that will charge you don't phone and change the appointmment if you can't make it or cancell with in a certain time. they will charge you the cost of the appointment. but charging you just for being a few mins late that's not very fair. most the time we have to wait over 15 mins any way.

I have heard about a fee if you don't show up at all, but not a fee if you are late. I know that some dentists in my country ask people to pay a fee if they don't show up. I think that is okay, I understand why they find it annoying when people just stay away without calling, but I don't think it is fair to charge people because they are a little late. A few weeks ago I received a letter from my dentist and she wrote that she had been waiting for me and that I didn't show up for my appointment. I didn't understand what was going on, and I was sure that I hadn't forgotten an appointment, then I discovered that the letter been sent to my old address and that's way I hadn't received the first letter. I explained the situation, and secretary was great, she accepted my apology and she didn't charge me for the appointment.

What charge you --- the patient-- customer if late? I don't think that is acceptable... Make additional income from that? I think doctors should be charged if they came late with their appointments because they are dealing with patients, sick people and the time is very important there... But them charging their patients for coming late??? Oh! this is actually the first time I heard about this kingparker... I believe patients can call and inform the doctor's assistant if ever they (patients) are running late or cannot make it with their appointment...

A lot of doctors and other medical care professionals are now imposing a fee if you do not appear and forget to cancel, and if you are late. It always makes me angry when I see this. However, you basically have a contractual fee for service arrangement with them. If you see that they are charging this fee and you continue to see that doctor, you impliedly agree to the imposition of the fee. I hate seeing this happen as patients are often kept waiting. If it upsets you, try talking to the doctor to see if he or she will waive the fee.

Well it depends on the dentist if he feels that his time is very precious and he got lots of clients then it is just proper for him to penalize late comers or absenteeism.

My husband just got a bill for $64.00 for a missed doctor's appointment even though he had called to reschedule. Of course, he was furious. He called ready to rant and rave, but the receptionist told him to just ignore it. If you are charged, make sure you call the office. They may be willing to forget the charge. They do not want to lose a good customer. I had to cancel my own appointment today. I made sure I asked, before cancelling whether or not I would be charged. They assured me I would not.

I think it's okay. It's better for the patient to be punctual rather than be late. But I don't think a high fee would solve the problem. It's better that they have lower fees if they do that policy. They might lose customers if they continue doing that

It sounds very stange to me.yes we know that to be on time for the appointment is one way of respect,but if somebody charge fee it is not reasonable.Not everything can measure by money.