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They seriously piss me off and I consider them totally disrespectful of me and my time. but, I'm so nice
My policy has been that I have a $60 no-show/late cancellation policy, but I always wave it for late cancels and I have a generic form letter for the first no-show which says (paraphrasing) "I have a $60 no show policy that, given that this is your first no-show, am going to wave in good faith, however, all subsequent no-shows will be billed $60 and you will not be able to schedule subsequent appointments until that no show has been paid. additionally, please call to confirm your next appointment."
But, here is what happens: they confirm the next appointment, then no-show a second time, don't pay the fee and never come back until months have passed and then I let it slide. So, then, instead of only being out one session, I'm out two.
Also, when people first start attending, they often aren't in the swing of paying copays (I request 50% of billable until their insurance has kicked in, but I've yet to refuse to see anyone if they haven't paid their copay for that session).
Anyway, I have someone who no-showed today and has not yet paid a single copay and I'm betting that they will have a deductible and now I am out the full amount for four sessions. Because I'm betting that they noshowed because I told them last week that they needed to start catching up to the amount owed.
so, ideas for the no-show issue?
I'm thinking that I'm going to get rid of the first freebee and maybe start charging for late cancels (but I feel bad charging if someone's kid is sick at the last minute), but that I'm going to put up a sign right on the way out of my office so that no one can claim not knowing.
thoughts
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Jonathan
Louisburg Cider Mill
October 2009
"Master, which is the greatest commandment in the law?
Jesus said until him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And, the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments have all the law and the prophets."
hmm...given your line of work it seems it's in the best interest of the client/patient to be forced to attend their appointments by actually being billed the $60 fee when they no show.
I imagine a fair number of people dread their appointments much like some dread the dentist. No because of you but because it's just not pleasant digging into your mental stuff.
So it's not just a matter of it being off-pissing and disrespectful, it's also in their best interest to be "encouraged" to make their appts through aversion therapy ( the aversion being paying a fee). It's for their own good.
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~Dannielle
Momma to Isabelle (8/95) and Mason (1/01)
I agree. I have one adult client whose mother pays monthly, so when said client no-shows, I'm not out one dime, but she also has no skin in the game and I'm thinking that she needs to start paying her own no-shows.
Get rid of the freebie. It could give the impression that missed sessions are not a huge deal to you. When I was scouting out therapists, every single one said in the inital phone convo that they require payment for all appointments unless they are cancelled 24+ hours in advance with confirmation. It's a business.
I've been having the same issues. However my set up is a ttle different. The parents aren't paying for services, the government does. So after 2 no shows in a month period we drop them, report it to the state and the state would likely drop them too and give the services to another family.
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Kimber (widowed 6/27/09)-
mama to DC (born at 26 weeks at 1lb 8ozs on 1/9/02)
Brooke Kaylee born 5/28/08
I post a notice where everyone who walks out my door can read, stating that effective immediately, all cancellations without 24 hour notice (unless I am able to fill the time with someone else) will be billed at 50% of the billable rate, but that all no-shows will be billed at the full fee?
Does that sound reasonable?
The effect I imagine it will have will be fewer last minute cancellations or reschedules and that people who have a tendency to no-show will stop seeing me. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
I would be even harsher, but you know your clientele better than we do. I wouldn't put the part about "unless I am able to fill the time w/ someone else" in there.
__________________ Rachel ~ WOHM, Married to lovely SAHD since 12/29/07, Mom to beautiful daughter Margali born 02/19/08
I would be even harsher, but you know your clientele better than we do. I wouldn't put the part about "unless I am able to fill the time w/ someone else" in there.
I agree. If you happen to get a paying client, as well as the fee from a no-show, good for you!
What if you have everyone sign an agreement that you then put in their files? You could have all your current clients sign one at their next appointment. Just explain that some other clients (not them, of course) have been not keeping appointments and, to be fair, you need all clients to sign this agreement.
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Nancy
married to Robert * mommy to Emma (04/2001) and John (09/2004)
my sweet kids
the morning of my mother's funeral
ISO: Winter Clothes!
Our Florida family is heading to NY for a week at Christmas. Let me know if you have warm clothes to sell!
Me - size small, 4/6
Emma - size 7 or so
John - size 5 or so
I agree. If you happen to get a paying client, as well as the fee from a no-show, good for you!
What if you have everyone sign an agreement that you then put in their files? You could have all your current clients sign one at their next appointment. Just explain that some other clients (not them, of course) have been not keeping appointments and, to be fair, you need all clients to sign this agreement.
they already have signed such an agreement. i just haven't been following it. Well, the difference is that no-show and late cancels have both been billed at 50% and I think that there should be a difference between cost for a late cancel and a no-show.
I would be even harsher, but you know your clientele better than we do. I wouldn't put the part about "unless I am able to fill the time w/ someone else" in there.
reviving an old post...I am curious what you did and how it's been going.
I am charging 50% of they cancel with less than 24 hours notice. Usually, I'll let the first one slide - people are going to get sick on occasion. No shows are billed at 100%. Some people suggested the same rate for last minute cancellation as for no-show, but I'd rather reward the respect of calling to let me know that they will not be in.
It is going better, thanks. I had not one late cancel last week and, probably, I could have used it!
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