Legal Question in Consumer Law in Nevada

collection agency

We missed an appoitment with the doctor's office for our son. The appointment we made was about three months before that. The collection agency, on behalf of the doctor's office sent us the bill of $40 for No-show. They said they stopped sending reminder or called patient in advance to remind of an appointment, which they never notified us of that change. They said they posted the note at the doctor's office saying they will charge for no-show, which we don't recall that we saw it. Do we have to pay since we don't even know that policy? What right do we have in this case?


Asked on 4/11/01, 2:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Rick Williams Law Offices of Frederick D. (Rick) Williams, Chtd.

Re: collection agency

It would be wrong for you to assume your doctor is responsible for ensuring you show up for your appointment, but I have a problem with the office charging you for no services rendered. I would suggest calling the office manager to protest (in the most civil terms possible) the charge, and basing your challenge on lack of notice of the new policy. If they appear unwilling to budge, suggest that they apply the "no-show" charge to your child's next visit. I know of no law against doing what the office wants to do, but it does not seem very compassionate or professional -- unless, of course, you demonstrated a pattern of missing appointments without explanations. If that is the case, you tied up the time of a professional who allocated a portion of his day to serve you, and perhaps, could not then transfer that time to another patient. In that case, you should have to pay for the inconvenience to the doctor and his staff, but not on a "first offense," in my opinion. See if the office will kindly reverse the charge, even though it has been referred to collection. That is the best you can hope for at this point.

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Answered on 6/11/01, 10:12 pm


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