Opinion
Here, a chronic "no-show" can expect no go -- unless a deposit is paid first
LETTER — Posted Feb. 7, 2005
Regarding "Nabbing no-shows" (Article, Nov. 1, 2004): As an ophthalmologist in practice for many years, my "no-show" rate is fairly low. However, we do get some chronic offenders, despite our calling all patients one or two days ahead of time as a reminder. We also will call the same day, after they are a "no-show," to ensure that everything is OK, and to reschedule.
Should they be a chronic "no-show," we will give them another appointment, but only after they pay in advance for this appointment. Should the visit be billable to insurance, when they come in for their visit, we will refund their "reservation" payment.
There are very few occasions when we have had to employ this; it has worked well -- with the chronic miscreants generally going elsewhere!
Harold J. Goldfarb, MD, Allentown, Pa.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2005/02/07/edlt0207.htm.
