If my doctors office claims the right to charge me for a missed appointment, can I charge the doctors office if the miss my appointment without notice?
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If my doctors office claims the right to charge me for a missed appointment, can I charge the doctors office if the miss my appointment without notice?
Asked on October 13, 2012 under Business Law, Washington
Answers:
SJZ, Member, New York Bar / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 12 years ago | Contributor
Unfortunately, as much I think you are morally in the right on this one, you can only charge them for a missed appointment if they agreed in advance to pay if they missed it--e.g., if at the time you made the appointment, you said something like "My policy is that if the doctor cancels or misses the appointment without notice, the doctor has to pay me $XXX.XX" and the office agrees. (Better yet, get it in writing.)
Similarly, you can only be charged if you are made aware, in advance of the appointment, that there is a charge for missing it, and agree to that condition by still making the appointment.
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