Missed Medical Appt & Dr's Threat

[Tullysgirl]

Hey all-

Because I "no showed" for a medical appt, Monday July 30th and didn't give the required at least 48 hrs notice, the Drs office sent a bill for 50.00 and a threat that, "Copies of this letter and all upaid invoices will be forwarded to Immigration Canada as per their rcommendations."


THE SCOOP:

I confirmed the appt the Friday before and ending the call, I confirmed all that was needed and was told 5 pictures were needed (when I was told earlier in the week only 3 were needed and 3 is what I got, in the meantime, from Walmart). So, as soon as I hung up, I called Walmart. The closest Portrait studio I knew off on the way to Saskatoon didn't open until 10, apparently all of them don't open until 10 (I called 3 others) and my appt was at 10:30. (I live 3 hrs ways from Saskatoon) I knew I wasn't going to make that appt.

After waiting for lunch time to check with hubby, we realized we couldn't go on Saturday, the next day, to get additional pictures. When I called the Dr office back to see if I could re-schedule/cancel, their office was closed and their answering service told me, "we don't take cancellations. Their office opens at 8 on Monday."

So, I, in good faith, DID try to cancel my appt with well over 48 hrs notice. Yesterday I called the office manager, who signed the letter, and explained this to him via voicemail.

What would you suggest I do? Call CIC and let them know? I don't think I should have to pay the 50.00 because they don't allow people to cancel Monday appts with 48 hrs notice via their answering service.

BTW-I did get another appt with a different Dr, 1 hr closer to me, later in the day that Monday, so I was able to get the additional pics. MEDICALS DONE AND PASSED!! Now, just waiting for marriage cert to arrive and we can send out apps in!!!

 

[CharlieD10]

The cancellation fee I can't comment on, but CIC won't care that you missed the medical. It only matters if you were not excessive-medical demand exempt, which as a spouse you are, so missing a medical appointment won't matter one way or another, so long as you do get the medical done in time to be submitted with your application.

 

[montrealsnow]

The cancellation fee I can't comment on, but CIC won't care that you missed the medical. It only matters if you were not excessive-medical demand exempt, which as a spouse you are, so missing a medical appointment won't matter one way or another, so long as you do get the medical done in time to be submitted with your application.

Yeah, I agree. Don't worry about CIC. The doc is probably only doing it in order to scare you into paying the cancellation fee, which is pretty crappy of them. I'd probably talk to them once more but if they keep insisting, I'd pay the 50$ (you can't really expect them to take cancellations over voicemail on the weekend) but then have the exam done somewhere else. And maybe name the doctor in this thread so that other people can avoid them.

 

[Creampop]

It is common that they charge for missed appointments it's happening everywhere now-a-days.... I don't think CIC will do anything but I would to pay it as I wouldn't want it turned into collection agency... he is with-in rights to do that. glad you got the medical done elsewhere... but how do you know you passed? they are not supposed to say anything regarding the exam itself.... I been flipping cus I ain't heard anything so I am hoping it's good news since it's been 4 months since having it done... anyways GL!

 

[truesmile]

I wouldn't pay it! You got your service elsewhere. See how much effort (if any) they will put into chasing fifty bucks!

 

[biometrix]

I wouldn't pay it! You got your service elsewhere. See how much effort (if any) they will put into chasing fifty bucks!

You'd be surprised on the ton of effort they might put in.

 

[truesmile]

That's cool! Let them surprise you, no point in giving money away. That $50 will be down to $20 if they send it to a collection agency, minus a dollar for every letter they send you on postage.

 

[biometrix]

That's cool! Let them surprise you, no point in giving money away. That $50 will be down to $20 if they send it to a collection agency, minus a dollar for every letter they send you on postage.

Don't forget what the matter going to the collection agency will cost.....VERY BAD CREDIT RATING.

 

[truesmile]

For only $20?? That entry can "easily" be removed from your Equifax report at a later date. Easily!!

 

[biometrix]

For only $20?? That entry can "easily" be removed from your Equifax report at a later date. Easily!!

You obviously don't have an idea of what your talking about so I will leave it at that. "Removed at a later date" when the damage has already been done? Is Loosing points on your credit score worth it for 20 bucks? Maybe it's just because I pick my battles thats why I would suggest settling things before they get too complicated. It's not worth it creating battles for yourself. Just so you know when you file a dispute on your credit report, the credit bureau investigates the matter. They don't just REMOVE IT FROM YOUR REPORT BECAUSE YOU WANT IT REMOVED. If from their investigation they find that the doctor was well in his rights to have charged the amount due to bridge in terms, that dent stands and will always smile at you in your credit report irrespective of what you want and think. The question is would it be worth it to go through all the roller coaster events or just find a way to settle it? The only way around it is if she left a voice mail 48hours before the actual date of the medical stating that she was canceling the appointment. Then it's all good, if not, it's very bad. ignorance of the hospitals policy is no excuse. Due deligence on the clients part regarding the cancellation policy is required.Of course one might call the bluff of the Dr and see what happens. But I have seen companies use a collection agency for lesser amounts. Do I think it's crazy, yes but that doesn't stop the world from spinning around.

 

[aerogurl87]

You obviously don't have an idea of what your talking about so I will leave it at that. "Removed at a later date" when the damage has already been done? Is Loosing points on your credit score worth it for 20 bucks? Maybe it's just because I pick my battles thats why I would suggest settling things before they get too complicated. It's not worth it creating battles for yourself. Just so you know when you file a dispute on your credit report, the credit bureau investigates the matter. They don't just REMOVE IT FROM YOUR REPORT BECAUSE YOU WANT IT REMOVED. If from their investigation they find that the doctor was well in his rights to have charged the amount due to bridge in terms, that dent stands and will always smile at you in your credit report irrespective of what you want and think. The question is would it be worth it to go through all the roller coaster events or just find a way to settle it? The only way around it is if she left a voice mail 48hours before the actual date of the medical stating that she was canceling the appointment. Then it's all good, if not, it's very bad. ignorance of the hospitals policy is no excuse. Due deligence on the clients part regardind the cancellation policy is required.Of course one might call the bluff of the Dr and see what happens. But I have seen companies use a collection agency for lesser amounts. Do I think it's crazy, yes but that doesn't stop the world from spinning around.

Well it also depends on where the doc's office is at. If it is in the applicant's home country and they don't plan on settling there as a couple, then it wouldn't matter as much since your home country's credit score doesn't follow you to Canada. Not saying they shouldn't pay it, but just something to keep in mind. If it were me though, I'd pay it to just avoid a headache.

 

[biometrix]

Well it also depends on where the doc's office is at. If it is in the applicant's home country and they don't plan on settling there as a couple, then it wouldn't matter as much since your home country's credit score doesn't follow you to Canada. Not saying they shouldn't pay it, but just something to keep in mind. If it were me though, I'd pay it to just avoid a headache.

Very true...it's not worth the headache. I believe the person involved is in Saskatchewan, canada or surroundings. I wrote what I did with that in mind. I might have been wrong.

 

[Creampop]

from the post it's obvious the exam was done in Canada... and I was thinking about it alittle more... the DMP's (designated medical practitioners) must have some kind of agreement they are appointed by the CIC right? maybe they could attach something to the file? saying they owed 50 bucks for not showing and maybe they can with-hold the CoPR or visa until it's paid... is it really worth finding out the hard way? I would pay it, if not just to keep clean credit.... just my opinion....

 

[CharlieD10]

from the post it's obvious the exam was done in Canada... and I was thinking about it alittle more... the DMP's (designated medical practitioners) must have some kind of agreement they are appointed by the CIC right? maybe they could attach something to the file? saying they owed 50 bucks for not showing and maybe they can with-hold the CoPR or visa until it's paid... is it really worth finding out the hard way? I would pay it, if not just to keep clean credit.... just my opinion....

Visas are withheld for lack of payment of the RPRF, that is the only fee that can hold up a visa issue. As long as she has a valid medical from another DMP, they are not going to withhold her visa because some DMP says she made an appointment with me and didn't show and I charged her a cancellation fee that she didn't pay. That is between her and the doctor, not CIC, seeing as they didn't send her specifically to that doctor, nor is CIC paying for the exam.

 

[Fencesitter]

How stupid of the doctor!

If you didn't sign a contract, you don't owe them a dime. They can't charge for a cancellation fee unless you have agreed to it in writing. Anything else is just BS and you needn't worry about it.

Send them $50 of monopoly money...scammers suck.

FS