How is legal for a dental office to charge $75 for someone missing an appointment?

[Kingofkings1992]

Ok, I guess it’s inconsiderate to blow off a dental appointment. Since when is being inconsiderate something you can be charged money for? This seems like cloaked theft to me…

[NathanDavis]

let's say that you signed up for a procedure that requires certain tests, purchasing equipment, hiring extra-staff and prior preparation to your appointment...

and then they spent all that time, and resources and also would have the chance to charge you for more after the procedure or service was done to you

and then let's just say you and few others as well just decide to "blow off" all those appointments

they're are losing money, so... this just might be a way to get some of the costs covered in advance, and these kind of fine print deals are done for this very reason, because they saw the need to have them there because it has happened before

and it is not just dentists who might do something like this

[DryGermanGuy]

Another ridiculous detail in the already ridiculously expensive American health system... unbelievable. I'd like to see someone to try that scheme in Germany...

[whirled_up_girl]

I'm not sure but my office actually gave me a written policy when I became a patient about missed or late appointments and what would be charged if there wasn't a good reason, like severe weather or family/personal emergency.

[Anonymous]

Maybe if you had called them to let them know you weren't going to make it they could have found someone else to take your spot. You cost them money so why wouldn't they charge you

[Static_In_The_Attic]

I love how a doctors office will charge you for a missed appointment however if it’s the other way around where they call you last minute & try to reschedule you should have the right to charge them.

[SnowedIn]

It's legal because that's in the fine print of you being their patient.

I think it's bad business but not illegal.

[Redstang88]

Because that’s costing them revenue, they could’ve booked a paying customer during that time

[Jazzy54]

Unfortunately, that’s what many doctor’s offices do.

[Likes2drive]

Lucky it wasn’t $100 like mine charges if I don’t give them 24 hour notice

[Darkest-Knight]

Yes it is legal. The dentist could of had a paying customer in your time slot.

[Blueeyes81]

You cost them money by not showing up.

[Kingofkings1992]

Does UPS charge if they’re trying to make a delivery and no one is there to except it? No they don’t. How is that any different?

[Kingofkings1992]

Accept * damn talk to text

[Blueeyes81]

Pretend you run a business and you have 10 appointments that day. One no call no shows. You now only have 9 appointments when you could have filled the vacant one and had 10. It sucks but can't blame them.