Legal Question in Health Care Law in California

May a doctor in California require receipt of the copayment 10 days before the appointment in order to secure the appointment? I understand paying it when I get to the office but requiring it to secure the appointment seems unethical. Thank you kindly!


Asked on 11/19/10, 11:44 am

1 Answer from Attorneys

There is nothing unethical about making sure you don't wind up with a lot of cancelled appointments that you don't get paid for. Doctors under most HMO/PPO plans are entitled to charge the co-pay for no-shows, but in practice collecting is often too bothersome. So there is nothing wrong with requiring the co-pay to secure the appointment.

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Answered on 11/24/10, 11:58 am


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