Re: Charging for missed appointments
Garth Knapp
Description
Collection
Title:
Re: Charging for missed appointments
Creator:
Garth Knapp
Date:
9/24/2013
Text:
Hello List,
Thank you for your responses regarding missed appointments. The responses
are below:
The L-code system for which we bill for procedures does not include billing
for missed appointments and by most it would be seen as illegal. Many years
ago over the objection of a few the industry took this path seeing it as
more profitable plus allowing the government to take over the L-code system
developed by the AOPA Business Committee (MDs are still in control of their
procedure codes). We have ourselves to thank for you not being able to
bill for missed appointments.
We don't charge for missed appointments but once someone misses three
appointments we stop pursuing them. We only do reminder calls for certain
patients that are apt to forget.
Personally, I think charging for no shows is appropriate however I know of
few O&P practices which actually do so. The grey area is that many O&P
visits are included in the initial reimbursement of an item (follow ups and
warranted repairs or adjustments) therefore it would stand to reason that
you can't reasonably charge a no show fee for these visits since
technically you have already been paid by the insurance for the visit.
That is just my personal perspective. But, no show charges for visits
relating to evaluation of new services, unwarranted repairs or adjustments,
etc I would think is appropriate. I would maybe inquire to AOPA for their
opinion on the practice as they may have a different perspective or know of
other considerations.
I can tell you that for each of the practices I have worked for and now
each of my clients, reminder calls have been standard practice. I have
read studies (I couldn't tell you where now) that have said that reminder
calls are actually more effective 2 days prior to the visit than the
afternoon before because this allows patients time to make other
arrangements for schedule conflicts had they forgotten about the
appointment.
We always make reminder calls to our patients the day before and it
definitely seems to help with the no-show problem that most of us in this
field encounter. We do not charge for missed appointments as as most of
the patients who miss are on Medicaid and probably would not pay it
anyway. We choose not to lose the referrals and just deal with the
no-shows.
We have a sign which says that we reserve the right to charge $40 for
missed appointments. We always do a reminder call the day before. I also
note all missed appts in the front of the file - and in the progress notes
section - beside the datestamp - no show, or cancelled last minute If
there is a pattern of missed appointments (3) with one patient - I tell
them they will be charged next time. As of yet I have not had to actually
charge someone - but now I am much busier and will be more aware when they
are missed.
Hello List,
> I haven't found any information regarding charging for missed appointments.
> I realize we cannot charge the insurance companies for this, but it seems a
> modest cash charge could serve as an impetus to either show up to an
> appointment, or call to reschedule. This hasn't been a major issue, but I'm
> curious how it is handled across the country.
> Also, do many clinics do reminder calls the day prior to appointments?
> Thanks for your input,
> --
> Garth Knapp, LCPO
> Olympia, WA 98501
>
>
Thank you for your responses regarding missed appointments. The responses
are below:
The L-code system for which we bill for procedures does not include billing
for missed appointments and by most it would be seen as illegal. Many years
ago over the objection of a few the industry took this path seeing it as
more profitable plus allowing the government to take over the L-code system
developed by the AOPA Business Committee (MDs are still in control of their
procedure codes). We have ourselves to thank for you not being able to
bill for missed appointments.
We don't charge for missed appointments but once someone misses three
appointments we stop pursuing them. We only do reminder calls for certain
patients that are apt to forget.
Personally, I think charging for no shows is appropriate however I know of
few O&P practices which actually do so. The grey area is that many O&P
visits are included in the initial reimbursement of an item (follow ups and
warranted repairs or adjustments) therefore it would stand to reason that
you can't reasonably charge a no show fee for these visits since
technically you have already been paid by the insurance for the visit.
That is just my personal perspective. But, no show charges for visits
relating to evaluation of new services, unwarranted repairs or adjustments,
etc I would think is appropriate. I would maybe inquire to AOPA for their
opinion on the practice as they may have a different perspective or know of
other considerations.
I can tell you that for each of the practices I have worked for and now
each of my clients, reminder calls have been standard practice. I have
read studies (I couldn't tell you where now) that have said that reminder
calls are actually more effective 2 days prior to the visit than the
afternoon before because this allows patients time to make other
arrangements for schedule conflicts had they forgotten about the
appointment.
We always make reminder calls to our patients the day before and it
definitely seems to help with the no-show problem that most of us in this
field encounter. We do not charge for missed appointments as as most of
the patients who miss are on Medicaid and probably would not pay it
anyway. We choose not to lose the referrals and just deal with the
no-shows.
We have a sign which says that we reserve the right to charge $40 for
missed appointments. We always do a reminder call the day before. I also
note all missed appts in the front of the file - and in the progress notes
section - beside the datestamp - no show, or cancelled last minute If
there is a pattern of missed appointments (3) with one patient - I tell
them they will be charged next time. As of yet I have not had to actually
charge someone - but now I am much busier and will be more aware when they
are missed.
Hello List,
> I haven't found any information regarding charging for missed appointments.
> I realize we cannot charge the insurance companies for this, but it seems a
> modest cash charge could serve as an impetus to either show up to an
> appointment, or call to reschedule. This hasn't been a major issue, but I'm
> curious how it is handled across the country.
> Also, do many clinics do reminder calls the day prior to appointments?
> Thanks for your input,
> --
> Garth Knapp, LCPO
> Olympia, WA 98501
>
>
Citation
Garth Knapp, “Re: Charging for missed appointments,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 5, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/235564.
