Is it me? (NPR)

mrt

With all the trouble I seem to have with Dr.'s office receptionists, I'm beginning to think maybe it's me. Am I expecting too much?

I made my son's 2 year well visit 3 months ago, for this afternoon at 3:30. I live in CT, the weather is pretty bad, state employees and many corporate employees were told to stay home, in addition to obviously the schools being closed. But, the pediatrician's office is open. Which I guess is good, except that I don't really feel like I want to risk going for a well visit, when it could definitely wait. I don't live in the same town as the office and don't have an SUV.

The problem is that it is their policy that you cannot reschedule well visit appointments, you have to be put on a "cancellation list" and wait for someone else to cancel and they will call you and tell you when to come in... I can't really just leave work with only a couple of hours notice in a non-emergency situation. I feel like in a case like this, where the weather is out of my control, they should make an exception to their rescheduling policy. They disagree.

Is this a typical policy?

Is it me? Be honest. 

ErikaLynn75

No idea if that's normal or not, but I agree I'd be looking for a new doctor. I can understand having a strict policy for no-shows or last minute cancellations under normal circumstances, but after a snow/ice storm, I think they need to be more flexible. 

I had a dentist appointment last week, and they have a cancellation fee that they normally charge if you don't give 24 hours notice. But I called them the day of my appointment and said I had some sinus congestion and they rescheduled me no problem. 

I think in general receptionists should have the power to make exceptions in cases when there is a good reason.

krlovell

That is seriously the most insane thing I've ever heard! Find a new doctor ASAP as not only do you have a good reason for not making the apt but making it difficult to get your child in for vaccines etc seems to be the opposite of what the purpose of well visits/ doctors seems to be.
DS's ped calls a week before the apt to make sure it's a good time and if not if we can go ahead and reschedule so that we don't miss/forget about the well visit and in keeping his vaccines current. Your dr seems to not care if you rememeber or not to get DS in. Not cool!!

AnnieA75

I would find a new doctor with more flexible policies. This sound pretty ridiculous to me.

mrt

Thanks for the advice. I do adore my pediatricians and am hesitant to switch. One of them made a call last year that probably saved my son's life, and even the e.r. doctors missed it. They have calling hours each morning, and I'm thinking of calling to talk to one of the doctors about it.