Does your Dr. charge you appointment cancellation fees?!


Question: I had to cancel a dentist appointment this morning because my daughter is home sick from school. When I called first thing this morning to cancel I was told that they would forgive this instance but if I cancelled another appointment without giving 24 hours notice I would be charged $25.00. Does your Dr. have a similar policy? How do you feel about paying a appointment cancellation fee?


Answers: I had to cancel a dentist appointment this morning because my daughter is home sick from school. When I called first thing this morning to cancel I was told that they would forgive this instance but if I cancelled another appointment without giving 24 hours notice I would be charged $25.00. Does your Dr. have a similar policy? How do you feel about paying a appointment cancellation fee?

I think it reasonable. As long as they pay me the equivalent of my $150/hr consulting fee for time they keep me waiting past my appointment.

I think it is reasonable, the time they set aside for your appointment is money lost if you don't show up.

Yes, most dental/doctor offices do charge no show or cancellation fees. They actually usually run more like $40-50. You probably got a break because your daughter was sick. However, the bills still have to be paid. The electricity keeps running when you don't show up. Dental materials and supplies are very expensive and most days there are multiple people who don't bother to show, are sick, or chicken out. It can add up and unfortunately most people would skip out if there were not consequences or not canceling within 24 hours.
PS I do agree that waiting forever is not acceptable.

Yes, and at the dentist too. I understand that they set aside the time and a room, but we're talking about 10min most times!

I have a very demanding boss and sometimes couldn't get away for appointments or meetings ran late, etc. Sure enough, the next time I went in they did charge me the missed appt. fee and gave some attitude like I was an inconvenience to top it off.

Recently, I've been using the afterhours - doc in a box - type clinics for the things I would have made an appointment for with a regular family doc. I love them! No appointment needed and my insurance covers it just the same!

This is just a vent: But perhaps we as consumers should start backcharging for our time while we wait for a doctor running behind schedule or for when we have to see a different resident because our doctor couldn't be there for one reason or another. :)

Yes, a 24 hour notice is needed. You are lucky you got a warning!
It totally makes sense because they could have booked someone else in that time slot, so the office is losing money because of your cancellation.





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