Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 Years ago, I did a series of 13 Colon Hydrotherapy sessions and paid for my girlfriend to do 10 or so. The therapist had a " NO show " policy and on my 14th visit, I forgot the appointment and didn't call. He billed me. After spending $1,265 with him, he would not back off the charge. I never felt inspired to see him again. My wife who is a Councilor, has a fairly strict " No show " policy. All people who schedule a second appointment prepay. If they don't show, it is already paid. If someone misses their first appointment and calls again, then they send in a check to hold their spot. If the check doesn't show, then she fills in the spot. She does allow one " emergency " reschedule. If the person calls after the 24hr reschedule window, it is their one emergency reschedule. If it happens again, it is billed and they must prepay for the next appointment. She does call everyone to confirm their appointment and requests a call back if she is unable to reach them. Since her appoints run 3 hr for an initial and 1.5hr for followups, here patient load per day is lower than most of us, so the calling isn't as much of an issue. It does improve both communication and her ability to keep her schedule booked. Also, surprisingly, most of the people are willing to meet her requirements. I think patients respect her time and probably talents more this way. Chris In a message dated 12/14/2004 8:13:49 AM Eastern Standard Time, blazing.valley writes: Thanks so much. Do you call patients a day or two before the appointment to remind them. I find some I have to do this but am considering doing it for all. It seems very time consuming. Anne Barb wrote: > > Hi Anne, > > > > The 24 hour cancellation. I have a notice form that the patient signs > letting them know what the policy is on the first visit. If they > miss the > appointment, there is a $25.00 fee, for late cancellations or no shows. > Although this is technically my policy, I have never charged a patient > for a > cancellation, even if it was within an hour of the appointment because AT > LEAST they called! I tend to let regular patients by with one " no > show " . A > few patients have absolutely insisted on paying for the whole appointment > even without me saying anything. No shows are rare, and I do get > aggravated > by them, but especially so. I have " fired " 3 patients over the years for > repeated " no shows " by not allowing them to reschedule. Other than that, > I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to the 24 hour policy. > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 Thanks Chris: I had this discussion with my accountant who is also a patient. He has been in business for a long time, is very successful, meets with people. He gets all dressed to go to theoffice and meet someone and then they might not show. He says if it is chronic he has a heart to heart with them and says " Please call me if you can't make it.: He also says that some people you might not want as patietns if they aren't committed. As for the regulars messing up because things might be happening, it's his view that it is a cost of doing business. This would fly better with me if I saw two people in an hour. Now I see one, much like the therapist, with none of the income protection. I really like the prepay, even if it's for the month only. There is some hoopla about prepays in our profession and American Acupuncture Council - malpractice may not permit it. I have to check further. thanks again Anne Musiclear wrote: > > Years ago, I did a series of 13 Colon Hydrotherapy sessions and > paid for > my girlfriend to do 10 or so. > The therapist had a " NO show " policy and on my 14th visit, I > forgot the > appointment and didn't call. He billed me. After spending $1,265 > with him, he > would not back off the charge. I never felt inspired to see him again. > My wife who is a Councilor, has a fairly strict " No show " policy. > All > people who schedule a second appointment prepay. If they don't show, > it is > already paid. If someone misses their first appointment and calls > again, then > they send in a check to hold their spot. If the check doesn't show, > then she > fills in the spot. > She does allow one " emergency " reschedule. If the person calls > after the > 24hr reschedule window, it is their one emergency reschedule. If it > happens > again, it is billed and they must prepay for the next appointment. > She does call everyone to confirm their appointment and requests a > call > back if she is unable to reach them. > Since her appoints run 3 hr for an initial and 1.5hr for > followups, here > patient load per day is lower than most of us, so the calling isn't as > much of > an issue. It does improve both communication and her ability to keep her > schedule booked. > Also, surprisingly, most of the people are willing to meet her > requirements. > I think patients respect her time and probably talents more this way. > > Chris > > In a message dated 12/14/2004 8:13:49 AM Eastern Standard Time, > blazing.valley writes: > Thanks so much. Do you call patients a day or two before the > appointment to remind them. I find some I have to do this but am > considering doing it for all. It seems very time consuming. > > Anne > > Barb wrote: > > > > > Hi Anne, > > > > > > > > The 24 hour cancellation. I have a notice form that the patient signs > > letting them know what the policy is on the first visit. If they > > miss the > > appointment, there is a $25.00 fee, for late cancellations or no shows. > > Although this is technically my policy, I have never charged a patient > > for a > > cancellation, even if it was within an hour of the appointment > because AT > > LEAST they called! I tend to let regular patients by with one " no > > show " . A > > few patients have absolutely insisted on paying for the whole > appointment > > even without me saying anything. No shows are rare, and I do get > > aggravated > > by them, but especially so. I have " fired " 3 patients over the > years for > > repeated " no shows " by not allowing them to reschedule. Other than > that, > > I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to the 24 hour policy. > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 I agree that we need to take more care in creating guidelines for our business. The truth is that conducting a prepay situation is not legal for us unless we also have a certificate to conduct insurance. No malpractice company will cover practitioners that are breaking the law. Most states regulate insurance and enforce it as well. We practice medicine. Medicine in the states does not allow for collection of future treatment from the patient nor insurance up front. I would love it if it were possible but it is not. We need to conduct business on the up and up. Later Mike W. Bowser, L Ac >Anne Crowley <blazing.valley >Chinese Medicine >Chinese Medicine >Re: Digest Number 785 Billing " No Shows " >Tue, 14 Dec 2004 13:02:09 -0500 > >Thanks Chris: > >I had this discussion with my accountant who is also a patient. He has >been in business for a long time, is very successful, meets with people. >He gets all dressed to go to theoffice and meet someone and then they >might not show. He says if it is chronic he has a heart to heart with >them and says " Please call me if you can't make it.: He also says that >some people you might not want as patietns if they aren't committed. As >for the regulars messing up because things might be happening, it's his >view that it is a cost of doing business. This would fly better with >me if I saw two people in an hour. Now I see one, much like the >therapist, with none of the income protection. I really like the >prepay, even if it's for the month only. There is some hoopla about >prepays in our profession and American Acupuncture Council - malpractice >may not permit it. I have to check further. thanks again > >Anne > >Musiclear wrote: > > > > > Years ago, I did a series of 13 Colon Hydrotherapy sessions and > > paid for > > my girlfriend to do 10 or so. > > The therapist had a " NO show " policy and on my 14th visit, I > > forgot the > > appointment and didn't call. He billed me. After spending $1,265 > > with him, he > > would not back off the charge. I never felt inspired to see him again. > > My wife who is a Councilor, has a fairly strict " No show " policy. > > All > > people who schedule a second appointment prepay. If they don't show, > > it is > > already paid. If someone misses their first appointment and calls > > again, then > > they send in a check to hold their spot. If the check doesn't show, > > then she > > fills in the spot. > > She does allow one " emergency " reschedule. If the person calls > > after the > > 24hr reschedule window, it is their one emergency reschedule. If it > > happens > > again, it is billed and they must prepay for the next appointment. > > She does call everyone to confirm their appointment and requests a > > call > > back if she is unable to reach them. > > Since her appoints run 3 hr for an initial and 1.5hr for > > followups, here > > patient load per day is lower than most of us, so the calling isn't as > > much of > > an issue. It does improve both communication and her ability to keep >her > > schedule booked. > > Also, surprisingly, most of the people are willing to meet her > > requirements. > > I think patients respect her time and probably talents more this >way. > > > > Chris > > > > In a message dated 12/14/2004 8:13:49 AM Eastern Standard Time, > > blazing.valley writes: > > Thanks so much. Do you call patients a day or two before the > > appointment to remind them. I find some I have to do this but am > > considering doing it for all. It seems very time consuming. > > > > Anne > > > > Barb wrote: > > > > > > > > Hi Anne, > > > > > > > > > > > > The 24 hour cancellation. I have a notice form that the patient signs > > > letting them know what the policy is on the first visit. If they > > > miss the > > > appointment, there is a $25.00 fee, for late cancellations or no >shows. > > > Although this is technically my policy, I have never charged a patient > > > for a > > > cancellation, even if it was within an hour of the appointment > > because AT > > > LEAST they called! I tend to let regular patients by with one " no > > > show " . A > > > few patients have absolutely insisted on paying for the whole > > appointment > > > even without me saying anything. No shows are rare, and I do get > > > aggravated > > > by them, but especially so. I have " fired " 3 patients over the > > years for > > > repeated " no shows " by not allowing them to reschedule. Other than > > that, > > > I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to the 24 hour policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 14, 2004 Report Share Posted December 14, 2004 Hi Ane, I have been following this thread on no shows with interest, so many of my own thoughts, ideas and frustrations see to be fairly universal except I don't recall seeing the following. 1. There is the appointment time that I and they think will work, and there is the appointment time that fits into the Qi Universe and the two may be out of wack with each other. 2. I watch as the phone rings somedays with perhaps 7 people juggling their appointment times, creating new openings for others to take up. 3. Maybe I need the time to do something else and the missing patient gives me that, so I think what might I do now, perhaps some paperwork, perhaps a little rest. 4. Perhaps I doubled booked and the missing patient actually makes the schedule better. 5. Sometimes the no show behaviour is part of their illness. 6. Perhaps I am doing a little Zen thing learning to accept what is, and the whole thing is about my development and has nothing to do with my patients but rather my patience! 7. Sometimes what the patient has to deal with is more important to them than coming to my clinic for a treatment. For instance one patient had a close relative die and could not attend. Best wishes Anne Crowley [blazing.valley] Wednesday, 15 December 2004 4:02 AM Chinese Medicine Re: Digest Number 785 Billing " No Shows " Thanks Chris: I had this discussion with my accountant who is also a patient. He has been in business for a long time, is very successful, meets with people. He gets all dressed to go to theoffice and meet someone and then they might not show. He says if it is chronic he has a heart to heart with them and says " Please call me if you can't make it.: He also says that some people you might not want as patietns if they aren't committed. As for the regulars messing up because things might be happening, it's his view that it is a cost of doing business. This would fly better with me if I saw two people in an hour. Now I see one, much like the therapist, with none of the income protection. I really like the prepay, even if it's for the month only. There is some hoopla about prepays in our profession and American Acupuncture Council - malpractice may not permit it. I have to check further. thanks again Anne Musiclear wrote: > > Years ago, I did a series of 13 Colon Hydrotherapy sessions and > paid for > my girlfriend to do 10 or so. > The therapist had a " NO show " policy and on my 14th visit, I > forgot the > appointment and didn't call. He billed me. After spending $1,265 > with him, he > would not back off the charge. I never felt inspired to see him again. > My wife who is a Councilor, has a fairly strict " No show " policy. > All > people who schedule a second appointment prepay. If they don't show, > it is > already paid. If someone misses their first appointment and calls > again, then > they send in a check to hold their spot. If the check doesn't show, > then she > fills in the spot. > She does allow one " emergency " reschedule. If the person calls > after the > 24hr reschedule window, it is their one emergency reschedule. If it > happens > again, it is billed and they must prepay for the next appointment. > She does call everyone to confirm their appointment and requests a > call > back if she is unable to reach them. > Since her appoints run 3 hr for an initial and 1.5hr for > followups, here > patient load per day is lower than most of us, so the calling isn't as > much of > an issue. It does improve both communication and her ability to keep her > schedule booked. > Also, surprisingly, most of the people are willing to meet her > requirements. > I think patients respect her time and probably talents more this way. > > Chris > > In a message dated 12/14/2004 8:13:49 AM Eastern Standard Time, > blazing.valley writes: > Thanks so much. Do you call patients a day or two before the > appointment to remind them. I find some I have to do this but am > considering doing it for all. It seems very time consuming. > > Anne > > Barb wrote: > > > > > Hi Anne, > > > > > > > > The 24 hour cancellation. I have a notice form that the patient signs > > letting them know what the policy is on the first visit. If they > > miss the > > appointment, there is a $25.00 fee, for late cancellations or no shows. > > Although this is technically my policy, I have never charged a patient > > for a > > cancellation, even if it was within an hour of the appointment > because AT > > LEAST they called! I tend to let regular patients by with one " no > > show " . A > > few patients have absolutely insisted on paying for the whole > appointment > > even without me saying anything. No shows are rare, and I do get > > aggravated > > by them, but especially so. I have " fired " 3 patients over the > years for > > repeated " no shows " by not allowing them to reschedule. Other than > that, > > I'm somewhat of a wimp when it comes to the 24 hour policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2004 Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 Hey Sharon, good points, that's what I've always tried to follow. If someone cancels I say " no problem " and if they're late I say, " don't worry about it! " . If they're late again or cancel again, I say, " forget about it, it doesn't matter! " . What seems to happen now is that I have no habitual laters or cancellers, my schedule almost arranges itself, and it is absolutely wacky how 2 people cancel, 2 people call asking for the times which are now vacant and the second one gets there late so that I can finish my extended treatment on the first one. And yes people cancel so I can rest...if I wake up one morning feeling off and grumbly and not wanting to work, I need to make very sure I have a clear decision in my mind that I want to work, otherwise almost everyone will call and cancel. Of course, I could be crazy, but . I . don't . think .. so. Same thing happens with money...everytime I count my money and try to predict how much I will earn, I earn only just enough to pay for the bills. When I forget I'm even being paid, I have a good month. Thanks for bringing it up Sharon, Bye! Hugo --- Sharon <> wrote: > > Hi Ane, > > I have been following this thread on no shows with > interest, so many of my > own thoughts, ideas and frustrations see to be > fairly universal except I > don't recall seeing the following. > > 1. There is the appointment time that I and they > think will work, and there > is the appointment time that fits into the Qi > Universe and the two may be > out of wack with each other. > > 2. I watch as the phone rings somedays with perhaps > 7 people juggling their > appointment times, creating new openings for others > to take up. _________ Win a castle for NYE with your mates and Messenger http://uk.messenger. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 16, 2004 Report Share Posted December 16, 2004 Hey Hugo, I know exactly what you mean with working with 'time' how people cancel and others book last minute. It is quite entertaining waiting and watching the process, certainly less stressful allowing it to happen. The last person to miss their second appointment, on three occasions, said they really wanted to come and so there were three fundamental alternatives for me to look at. One was it wasn't their time to heal yet, another was the time we were booking him in for was wrong for his schedule. And there is the optimum time ie morning is a good time to schedule those with digestive complaints, but we found that as self employed person he was best off to come directly to clinic from his home and then go to the office.. so he had my first appointment. He then didn't get caught up running his person. He is now on his second set of treatments and will book in for his third in the new year. He also talked his wife into coming for treatment. Now there was a time when I first started that I hoped some people would not turn up or would cancel... scary stuff treating people in my earlier days. Especially when I felt 'i' had to 'fix' them. Now I just nudge them towards better health, use universal qi and, am far less intensive as a practitioner and probably far more effective too. I live in a small rural town and can't afford to 'burn' patients, and some days everyone runs 15 minutes early, I certainly don't make them wait for their allocated time. There may be a lot of authority issues in no shows. Yes I do have a purpose built clinic I run from home, so I don't feel so stranded if there is a no show. I certainly don't take it personally, it is just a timing thing that mostly sorts itself out. Running a clinic on time can become a pathology where giving a space an artificial label of time units is no longer a help to keep the patients in flow, but rather and enemy that must be controlled! Best wishes, Hugo Ramiro [subincor] Friday, 17 December 2004 3:51 AM Chinese Medicine RE: Digest Number 785 Billing " No Shows " Hey Sharon, good points, that's what I've always tried to follow. If someone cancels I say " no problem " and if they're late I say, " don't worry about it! " . If they're late again or cancel again, I say, " forget about it, it doesn't matter! " . What seems to happen now is that I have no habitual laters or cancellers, my schedule almost arranges itself, and it is absolutely wacky how 2 people cancel, 2 people call asking for the times which are now vacant and the second one gets there late so that I can finish my extended treatment on the first one. And yes people cancel so I can rest...if I wake up one morning feeling off and grumbly and not wanting to work, I need to make very sure I have a clear decision in my mind that I want to work, otherwise almost everyone will call and cancel. Of course, I could be crazy, but . I . don't . think . so. Same thing happens with money...everytime I count my money and try to predict how much I will earn, I earn only just enough to pay for the bills. When I forget I'm even being paid, I have a good month. Thanks for bringing it up Sharon, Bye! Hugo --- Sharon <> wrote: > > Hi Ane, > > I have been following this thread on no shows with > interest, so many of my > own thoughts, ideas and frustrations see to be > fairly universal except I > don't recall seeing the following. > > 1. There is the appointment time that I and they > think will work, and there > is the appointment time that fits into the Qi > Universe and the two may be > out of wack with each other. > > 2. I watch as the phone rings somedays with perhaps > 7 people juggling their > appointment times, creating new openings for others > to take up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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