A medical clinic in Saskatoon has implemented a ‘three strikes and you’re out’ protocol for individuals who miss scheduled doctor appointments. Lakeside Medical Clinic initiated this new policy on January 1, where patients receive a warning for the first offense, incur a $50 fee for the second instance, and face a $100 bill along with potential dismissal from the clinic for a third missed appointment.
Jordon Evenson, the executive director of Lakeside, explained that the decision to introduce this policy was prompted by approximately 4,000 patients failing to show up for appointments in the previous year. Evenson noted that the physicians at the clinic operate on a fee-for-service basis, leading to the formulation of the policy to address the issue of no-shows.
Dr. Jason Hosain, who has conducted research on no-shows in Saskatchewan, emphasized the importance of valuing appointments with family doctors and the need to prevent wastage of these valuable slots. However, Hosain cautioned against implementing punitive measures on patients without considering underlying factors such as mental health challenges and housing instability that may contribute to missed appointments.
Erindale Health Centre in Saskatoon also introduced a similar no-show fee system four years ago due to a significant number of missed appointments. Despite implementing a three-strikes policy initially, the clinic faced ongoing challenges with no-shows, leading to a revision of rules in late 2023. Patients are now required to settle outstanding no-show fees before accessing physician services, with potential discharge after three missed appointments annually.
The clinic’s no-show charges align with the fee guide provided by the Saskatchewan Medical Association, allowing for penalties of half the appointment cost for missed appointments. Doctors at Erindale consider various factors such as severe weather conditions, genuine emergencies, and financial constraints when deciding on imposing no-show fees.
Furthermore, the scarcity of data on no-show rates and their impact on the healthcare system in Saskatchewan poses challenges in addressing this issue effectively. Despite the lack of comprehensive tracking by healthcare bodies in the province, efforts to compile and analyze this data could provide valuable insights into addressing the problem of missed appointments.
Dr. Hosain suggested leveraging virtual visits as an alternative billing practice post-COVID-19 to mitigate the impact of no-shows. By incorporating virtual appointments into their practice, doctors and clinics can optimize their schedules and potentially reduce the occurrence of missed appointments.