[velcro003]

that you get charged for a missed session that was under 24 hours notice because you got sick?

[precious things]

emotionally- no. it doesn't seem fair.

My T won't charge if the time slot gets filled but otherwise I am still responsible.

[bluemountains]

No, I don't. Most docs have a forgiving policy concerning illness. I'll bet they would rather you leave your germs at home!
Bluemountains

[velcro003]

mine charged me i am not really that upset about it, but it disconcerted me...because i couldn't help that i got sick!

[purple_fins]

I don't think that's fair..... unless, one is getting sick and cancelling with such short notice frequently-- then I can see this happening.

[ECHOES]

No, I don't think it's fair to charge for missed sessions unless the person has a habit of cancelling, leaving the therapist with time he/she can't schedule.
I think it's really not realistic to expect every client/patient to never have a situation where they have to cancel less than 24 hours from their appointment. It's like being punished for being human - and in therapy, of all place!

My therapist doesn't charge, although it is her policy, if she chooses to apply it.
In 5 years, I have had to cancel a time or two... and so has she. We are both human

[PreacherHeckler]

I don't think it's fair unless they offer to pay you for YOUR time if THEY cancel!

I don't think its fair that you got charged for missing the session due to illness, unless you cancel for that reason frequently.

[granite1]

my T's office says if you are sick and have flu symptoms please stay home and get rest.so i wouldnt expect to be charged if i am sick and asked to stay home.i did call out sick once and didn't get charged for the session

I think this is perhaps something therapists should tell clients up front when starting therapy if they plan to uphold such a policy - then there are no surprises. I think missing a session as a one-off for a genuine reason should be let go, but I could understand a T taking a tougher stance if it were a repeated occurance. I think I'd be pretty shocked if my T charged me for missing a session...

[vanessaG]

If its a habit, then possibly. But missed a session every once in a while because of illness? No I don't think that's fair! I mean we are human! We do get sick! (as do T's) & clients don't go charging them for cancelled appts!

[lostmyway21]

Originally Posted by vanessaG

If its a habit, then possibly. But missed a session every once in a while because of illness? No I don't think that's fair! I mean we are human! We do get sick! (as do T's) & clients don't go charging them for cancelled appts!

I agree with this.

I work overnights and I emailed T a hour before my appt for a later appt, because I wanted some sleep. He didn't have one but he immediately offered to change my day. I guess some T's are just more flexible?

[velcro003]

aw man now i feel worse i have never cancelled because i was sick. i've only missed about 3 appts in 4 years.

[lostmyway21]

Originally Posted by velcro003

aw man now i feel worse i have never cancelled because i was sick. i've only missed about 3 appts in 4 years.

I think it's cause I'm his first appt and he is usually late for it anyway.

[ECHOES]

velcro, would you consider letting your T know how unfair you think this is to be charged, under the circumstances?

[velcro003]

no i could never say anything

[ECHOES]

But it's therapy... anything and everything belongs

[Dani]

I don't think it's fair, unless the client has a habit of cancelling numerous appointments. My T's office hasn't charged me for cancelling because of sickness, I've only done it a couple of times in four years. If they did, I would expect them to pay me for my T cancelling on short notice, especially the times I've taken a day off from school or work for my appointment.

[sunrise]

velcro, I'm sorry you got charged. It does seem unfair, because what's the alternative? that you drag yourself to therapy and infect everyone with your illness? The informed consent form I signed at my first meeting with T spelled out clearly that I would have to pay for any session I canceled with less than 24 hrs notice. So I know I did agree to those conditions. I think there was only once I have called with less than 24 hrs notice and I was very sick. T did not charge me, even though according to our contract he could have. Recently, T was so late to our appointment that I couldn't wait anymore and had to leave. At our next appointment he didn't charge me, because he said that he had made me miss time out from my day and it was only fair, since he charges clients who don't give adequate notice. That made me feel good, like yes, he has a strict policy, but he is willing to abide by it himself and compensate clients for their wasted time.

Velcro, I hope you speak to T about it. Maybe whoever does his billing doesn't know you were sick and there could be an exception made.

[crazycanbegood]

From T's perspective, that slot has been set aside for the patient, foregoing the chance of getting the fee from another patient. There is a contract between the patient and the client. Though the patient does not come for the session, the T still incurs the cost of the office, insurance,etc. in addition to the T's wasted time. Just because the patient cannot keep up his end of the bargain does not mean the T will not. If the patient cancels before 24 hours, the T has a greater chance of recouping the loss by scheduling another patient in the time slot . Additionally, the T must maintain a certain level of income to continue providing his services to all his patients.

But personally, I'd be annoyed at paying when it comes to sickness, though Ts have no way of knowing if the patient is truly sick, just being resistant, or preferring to go to the beach for the day.

[velcro003]

Originally Posted by sunrise

velcro, I'm sorry you got charged. It does seem unfair, because what's the alternative? that you drag yourself to therapy and infect everyone with your illness? The informed consent form I signed at my first meeting with T spelled out clearly that I would have to pay for any session I canceled with less than 24 hrs notice. So I know I did agree to those conditions. I think there was only once I have called with less than 24 hrs notice and I was very sick. T did not charge me, even though according to our contract he could have. Recently, T was so late to our appointment that I couldn't wait anymore and had to leave. At our next appointment he didn't charge me, because he said that he had made me miss time out from my day and it was only fair, since he charges clients who don't give adequate notice. That made me feel good, like yes, he has a strict policy, but he is willing to abide by it himself and compensate clients for their wasted time.

Velcro, I hope you speak to T about it. Maybe whoever does his billing doesn't know you were sick and there could be an exception made.

i know i won't say anything. and i know my contract said anything less than 24 hours will be charged...but still...and she knows i was sick, and i hardly ever get sick.

[Chopin99]

No I don't think it's fair, especially since you do not have a pattern of cancelling. I was in the ER for a kidney stone the night before a session. I actually didn't want to miss my session, so I went. When I told T what happened, she exclaimed, "What on earth are you doing here? Why didn't you call and cancel?" Not wanting to tell her the truth, I told her because it was within 24 hours. She told me, "Oh my gosh, I don't follow that policy unless the person habitually no shows without calling!"

You should say something to your T, velcro.

[mixedup_emotions]

My T has the same kind of cancellation policy....that I have to pay the full cost of the session if I don't cancel within 24 hours. I also have to pay a copay if I miss group. I am okay with the policy, as I would hate for my T to lose wages (it's a private practice) because of me...and it has the potential to lead to resentment, etc. towards me.

The one thing I don't like is that there are negotiated rates with each insurance provider. So, if he charged $130 per session, they agreed to $80....My copay would be $25. But if I missed, I had to pay the full $80.....Yet, the contracted rate with another insurance provider is $60....so, when I miss a session under this new insurance, my fee is lower.

I understand that the policy is there to protect both of us....There will always be those clients that cancel at the last minute because they panic or just don't want to go....and this helps ensure that the T is not constantly scrambling to fit patients in at the last minute due to cancellations.

[with or without you]

It's not fair, and not very understanding

I pay for missed sessions and in 8yrs have missed one. She has given me 2 time slots which have been mine for all this time. She works from home and works privately. I'm not sure why she should act like a "mother" in that regard? If I'm ill I pay not that I have been. Underneath all the 'unfairness' is the fact she has set asise these hrs and expects to be paid so she can keep her finances straight. Its not sch its a contractual agreement between to adults. Why should she be be out of pocket because I had a cold or whatever? She can extend her best wishes for my recovery isn't that enought? I guess I don't feel victimised in life anymore, I view through adult eyes more.

Oh and therapy is about more than our actually being there. Its knowing she is 'holding' my time slots even though I amy not be there. its knwoing that those time slots are ours on such a deep level that I can use that thought to help me even when not there. Its that feeling of it being mine. Imagine sitting at home thinking of your time slot and knowing someone else maybe sitting there as. 'Fill in' doesn't feel so close and unique between you both then??? A fee and commitment go deeper than 'its being fair'?