Do I Have to Pay a Fee for Canceling a Doctor’s Appointment? | Ep. 12

Have you ever had to cancel a doctor's appointment at the last minute because you were sick, only to receive a bill for a missed appointment fee? Melody Mulaik tackles this common frustration. She explains that while these policies are becoming more frequent to protect a doctor's schedule and revenue, you don't always have to pay the fee. Melody provides a clear, step-by-step guide on who to talk to, from the billing office to the physicians themselves, and exactly what to say to ask for the fee to be waived, especially when you have a legitimate reason like the flu.

Featured Topics:

• Why physician practices charge fees for missed or canceled appointments.
• How to effectively communicate with the billing office to request a waiver.
• The right way to ask your physician to intervene and waive the fee.
• Why most practices will waive the fee at least once for patients.

Tune in to learn how a simple phone call or message can save you from paying an unnecessary fee and help you navigate the "catch-22" of canceling when you're sick.

What You’ll Hear: 

00:00 - The Listener's Question: A $25 Missed Appointment Fee

00:15 - Why These Fees Are Becoming Common

00:45 - The "Catch-22" of Being Sick

01:00 - Step 1: Call the Billing Office and Ask for a Waiver

01:30 - Step 2: Ask Your Physician Directly via Portal or In-Person

02:15 - The Business Reason Behind Cancellation Fees

02:35 - Legitimate Reasons to Have a Fee Waived

02:50 - Why Most Practices Are Understanding

Want to Ask Melody: https://melodymulaik.com/ASK Don’t forget to subscribe so you won’t miss an episode, and let us know what topics or questions you need help with - we’re here to support you every step of the way.