Thanks Dru and Trista,
I understand everything you say, and I wish we had the balls to do that. May I what specialty each of you are from. Primary Care being a speciality as well.
I think you could get away with that in FP or IM possibly, but in pediatrics, it would be hard. Especially, if at the time they came in. All sorts of laws, etc., but I think mentioning it to them on the phone would allow them to make the decision, happy or unhappy to go to an urgent care, etc.
It just seems if a child with a 103 fever and cough (looks well -- probably routine) were to be asked to reschedule, it would open you up to all sorts of issues. We had a case in Maine once where a college student walked into a doctor's office c/o symptoms (not even a patient). They turned her away. She died the next day in Influenza A pneumonia. We could argue that one as far as the responsibility goes.
I am certainly not turning down good feedback. Thanks for the advice on the incentive especially with particular staff (who do the front desk) and is really hurting.
BY THE WAY, DOES ANYONE REMEMBER THAT COMPANY THAT MANAGES PAYMENT PLANS THROUGH A CREDIT CARD SYSTEM WHERE THE PATIENT HAS TO ATTACH A CREDIT CARD AND AGREE TO A MONTHLY PAYMENT.
This way if it is turned down, you can release them, and if they stop the process, it is pretty much obvious. I don't like payment plans, because they start paying them, then stop or come in and don't pay again.
