08-12-2008, 06:46 PM
Earlier this year I was scheduled for minor out-patient dermatology-related surgery. I was required to drive 30 minutes to the office where the procedure was to take place.
After waiting patiently for 80 minutes, I asked the receptionist to explain the delay. "Oh," she said matter-of-factly, "there was a problem with the previous patient."
For over an hour she had not seen fit to offer what one would expect to be the common courtesy of informing me of this situation.
She had, however, asked for my co-pay when I arrived. On time, I might add.
I asked her to return my check, which she did. I also rescheduled for the following week.
Six days later I realized that I could not keep the appointment. I attempted to conform to the physician's protocol by informing his office of this change of plans 24 hours in advance. I left a message with his answering service.
Two weeks later I received an invoice from the physician for $100 -- punishment for "not calling to cancel."
I ignored the invoice. A month later I began to receive from a collection agency, via mail and phone call, demands for payment.
I responded with a letter in which I detailed the sequence of events, accused the physician of engaging in a sophisticated shake-down, and included my invoice for $101 -- punishment for having been kept waiting as detailed above. I further stated that I was notifying the Consumer Protection Division of my state's Health Department regarding this extortion effort.
The collection efforts immediately ceased.
After waiting patiently for 80 minutes, I asked the receptionist to explain the delay. "Oh," she said matter-of-factly, "there was a problem with the previous patient."
For over an hour she had not seen fit to offer what one would expect to be the common courtesy of informing me of this situation.
She had, however, asked for my co-pay when I arrived. On time, I might add.
I asked her to return my check, which she did. I also rescheduled for the following week.
Six days later I realized that I could not keep the appointment. I attempted to conform to the physician's protocol by informing his office of this change of plans 24 hours in advance. I left a message with his answering service.
Two weeks later I received an invoice from the physician for $100 -- punishment for "not calling to cancel."
I ignored the invoice. A month later I began to receive from a collection agency, via mail and phone call, demands for payment.
I responded with a letter in which I detailed the sequence of events, accused the physician of engaging in a sophisticated shake-down, and included my invoice for $101 -- punishment for having been kept waiting as detailed above. I further stated that I was notifying the Consumer Protection Division of my state's Health Department regarding this extortion effort.
The collection efforts immediately ceased.