Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Yesterday , my DD had a 345 pediatrician's appointment. I arrived at the office at 353. at 4, a receptionist come out and told me that I would have to reschedule as the doctor had a consult at 410 and would not have enough time to see me. also, the practice requires an annual $150 fee to be a patient ( in addition to regular co pays etc ). I didn't realize this payment was due and I didn't bring my checkbook and I didn't have enough cash on me. they told me i would need to go an ATM and get cash to pay before I could be seen ( before they told me the doctor wasnt avaliable) keep in mind I've been going to this office since my DD was born and the office staff knows us by name etc. Anyway , I was really annoyed, but then I wondered if I was just being unreasonable. Honest opinions are welcome, I won't get offended.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Find a new practice

Thats terrible customer service to tell you to come back

Never heard of a patient fee!?!

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Hell to the no. I would find a new doc.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

That is definitely not "standard practice." Unless there was some reason I HAD to see this doctor/office I'd leave. Annual patient fee aside (wtf is this?), sounds extremely obnoxious.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

A patient fee???? Why on earth would you have to pay an annual fee to be a patient??? That is the MOST ridiculous thing I've ever heard, if my doctor tried to pull that cr@p I'd laugh in their face and walk out. Not to mention, it was SO unprofessional how they canceled on you while you were there. The nerve to do that and then ask for $150 in the next breath. Insane. I'd find a new practice ASAP!

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

There is no way in hell that I would pay a fee to be a patient.
What are they? A country club? There are PLENTY of doctors out there. The balls. As if they don't charge your insurance company enough for your visits?
No way .
Next!

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

That is not normal. I would find a new ped immediately.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

I would think that if you pay an annual fee and arrived less than 10 minutes late - you would have ample time to see a doctor (since they charge fees like that to be able to spend more time with patients).

I would find a new practice.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

I would find a new practice-as others have said this is not the norm--also I would let your insurance company know they charge a $150 annual patient fee this may conflict with the providers contract with the insurance company.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

I have a friend who's dr charges an annual fee (it's OOS though). She left that office b/c of it.
It's absolutely ridiculous!!

I would be finding a new dr asap! What Dr is ever on time!? He couldn't see you for a few minutes? BS!!

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

NOPE! I would've walked out.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

No this is not normal. You should ask what the Annual Fee covers/pays for.... the company Christmas party? lol I'd be so curious to find out.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Never heard of a patient fee. That is ridiculous. Did you call to let them know you would be late?

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Not a parent so I don't use a ped, but here is my take...you missed your 3:45 appointment, so you can't blame the Dr. for not being able to see you, that's standard, at least in adult Dr. offices. What is ludicrous is the patient fee and not seeing you until you pay it. I have never heard of a patient fee and would never pay it. It also seems very wrong to me that they would not see you until you handed them cash...now most of my docs take CC's but before that there were times I went for sick visits, so I didn't expect to go right at that moment and had no money or check on me and I was never turned away. Any reputable doctor would just send you a bill. Like the other ladies said, find a new practice.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

I would find a new practice. Yes you were late but they should have told you as soon as you checked in. I always wait for appointments and it's only fair it works both ways, within reason of course.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Are you part of a concierge service with that office? My grandmother is with her PCP and has a membership fee every year. It's a voluntary membership. Not all of his patients have it. What that entitles her to is immediate appointments without wait and some other perks. The fact that they wouldn't see you when you were 8 minutes late makes me think that is not the case. Also, the cash only makes it shady.

I would find a new doctor for the mere reason they wouldn't see you. It is a pediatricians office. Everyone, especially people who work with children, knows that things happen with little kids all the time that cause you to run late...poop explosions, spit up, the never ending fight to put on the shoes and jacket...whatever. 8 minutes is not late. I work with all different types of doctors every day...8 minutes is not late to them either. Maybe on a handful of occasions has a doctor been ready for me when I have arrived...maybe. Not to mention...when have you ever not waited for the doctor when you have been on time? That's a rarity! I would call and complain directly to the doctor about how you were treated and the practice's fees. That's bullsh!t.

Message edited 2/23/2017 11:52:28 AM.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Find a new ped. The patient fee is beyond ridiculous, and considering the number of hours of my life spent in a waiting room I'd be more than a little annoyed that they wouldn't see me for being only 8 minutes late - UNLESS - you've literally never waited a minute beyond your appointment ever. If MY ped told me that I would lose it on them.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Few questions

1. you said you've been a patient here since before your daughter was born. Did you know about the 'annual fee'?

2. as a paying patient, do you always have prompt and immediate attention when you are on time?

3 what benefits as a paying patient do you feel you get above and beyond normal care?

4. Is the doctor someone you trust ?

5. are you comfortable with the care your child gets and how you and the doctor see eye to eye on the care for your child?

As a 'fee' goes, I see no issue if I get a benefit.

I think if I knew there was a fee, I would be prepared to pay. why don't they take credit card? why didn't they remind you when they reminded you of the appointment?

If I had a fee I had best get some awesome treatment such as NEVER waiting for my time slot. If I'm on time (and I always am) you had better be on time too. I detest waiting on doctors but yes I understand they give each patient the time they deserve but still overbooking is annoying. However, if I'm late I also understand if I'm pushed or told to rebook.

If however, this bothers you, try another doctor.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Having a fee is not standard but many practices are doing this. They are called Concierge practices. I had a primary care Dr that started doing it back in 2002 so it's def not new. But in those practices you are supposed to not have huge wait times and be able to get appts basically whenever needed cause they have less patients. As for insurance coverage all the ones I have seen still take your insurance and the fee is just for the convenience factor.

IMO I would never pay the fee and left my Dr back in 01 because there are plenty of good drs that do not do this and I have had pretty good luck with wait times.

I do have to say I have never showed up late without calling first to make sure it was ok and they would still be able to see me or DS. IF I'm late I assume there will be an issue with seeing me and am ok with a reschedule.

Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

It sounds like you knew about the annual fee and just didn't know it was due, correct?

Is the fee for last minute sick visits?

If that what it's for and the doctor was doing you a courtesy of squeezing you in for a last minute appt then I don't think it's unreasonable especially since it sounds like you were aware of the policy.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

Re: Is this standard practice ? Pediatrician office question.

This sounds ridiculous to me! I'd find a new Ped asap.