I missed my contact lens f/u appt. now they are making me pay$30.00..is this a law?

Question

my yearly eye appointment was in January, my follow up appoint (which is included in the total I paid at my first visit) was supposed to be a week later. I scheduled the appointment and didnt get a reminder call so I forgot about it. The contacts I had lasted a month longer so I didnt call to reschedule til then. well I forgot again and then went on vacation in April. They never told me I would have to pay another office visit fee after a certain time until yesterday when I called and spoke to the dr who told me "I dont baby my patients" I told him I wasnt asking to be treated like a baby I just wanted to be infromed. Does anyone know if this is a law?? Please give me any info thanks

Answer 1

Your eye doctor is not required to remind you of appointments--it's your responsibility as a patient to remember that you made an appointment.  Sometimes doctors will call to remind you of an appointment as a courtesy, but it's not required.

So, why do you have to pay the $30?  Think of it from the doctor's perspective: since you missed your appointment, the time that was scheduled for your appointment was left empty when you didn't show up.  The doctor didn't have a patient to see during that time, so his time was wasted.  That's why you are on the hook for the cost of that visit--otherwise, the doctor loses money because you were forgetful.

So yeah, it sucks that you have to pay the cost of the visit, but I bet you won't forget an appointment there again!

Answer 2

no it isn't, your doctor is just a jerk, he is supposed to let you reschedule it without paying another fee, find a new one

Answer 3

Yes it's legal. It's probably posted somewhere or you were notified in some way. This is discourage people from just not showing up to appointments. Just pay it and be sure not to miss an appointment in the future without notifying them.

Answer 4

I would say you are lucky they are only charging your $30. Most doctors after 30 or 90 days will void out the prescription and make you do a complete exam again. Like mentioned below they do not have to give a reminder call, it is a courtesy. Also they don't even have to do the original follow up for free they can charge you for that as well. So this doctor was willing to do the follow up for free the first time and 2nd time and you missed both of these appointments. I would just be happy they are only charging you $30 dollars and just don't miss anymore exams.

Answer 5

I think it funny how you blame them for not calling you to remind you. Doctors that have that policy will usually have you sign something stating that you were aware. But everyone is right, you made a commitment to be there, when you didn't show up, you wasted his time and time is money right.

Answer 6

They set aside time for you...they lost that income. cause they couldn't schedule someone else at that time period......................

a law....depends on the city and state you are in...............

who is right,,,,,,,,them, not you