Ok, so on my last Dr. appt. I told dear doctor I snored and generally did not sleep well, he suggested and then scheduled a sleep study to check for sleep apnea and anything else that contributes to my bad sleep experiences.

the study was to be last Saturday night (last night, the 29th, ya know, when I am typing this). Well.... in the paperwork they sent me last week they asked all the usual questions, do you drink, smoke, drink soda, etc. Among the paperwork written several times in bold print "Failure to show up or cancel with less than 24 hours notice will result in a $100.00 fee." I mean it, it was written about 4 places on this paperwork.

So, yesterday abotu 3pm I got a phone call from the sleep center. "we are sorry but we don't have a medicare tech that can do your study tonight, we have to reschedule" Huh? They need a tech that specializes in medicare for medicare patients? that's a but strange to me but ok. I then asked "Thomas" the person on the phone: "Thomas, on my paperwork you have written many times if I don't give 24 hours notice to cancel you charge me $100, do I GET $100 for YOU canceling on ME? I had to arrange a dog sitter and this is not convenient for me." He said "Well, lets split the difference, I will give you a $50.00 gas card." Yippee. Point to that part of this long story is, ASK - it can't hurt, and even may pay.

The other point to this story that is turning into a long one is this. Tonight would have been a GREAT night to do the study. I went to bed at 9pm, was up every 1/2 hour to 45 min all night, and am now up for good, at 2:45am. I hate nights like this. Maybe I should have a shot or two of Crown to get me back to sleep. anyway, 7 hours until church.

That was pretty cool that they are giving you a $50 gas card - hope you actually get it! How far out is your new appointment, do you have to wait a long time? And will the medicare tech be on duty that night? LOL.

way to go! I love asking for such things.

I was scheduled for badly needed cataract surgery, just after retiring with a plan to return to work in exactly 30 days. This meant I had to have the surgery right away, so I could wait the 3 weeks for the necessary eyeglasses. I had planned so carefully for this. I was on the table, pre-medicated to the gills and had a big "L" over the designated eye, in indelible marker. Then came the nurse, saying, "You have to go home. We can't do the surgery. The anesthesiologist didn't show up." I said, "do it without anethesia". They refused. I couldn't see well enough to go back to work in time and lost my job of 22 years. Boy, was I mad. I had errands to do following the planned surgery [Dad was driving], and went about town with the big black "L" still on my forehead, medicated as a junkie, but much more irritable. No, they don't have to give you any notice! Caring For You - billie

Well, my dad taught me years ago that when someone has a cancelation fee and they cancel, you charge them, there is not reason your time isn't just as valuable as theirs.

I may have shared this before here. My dad was left waiting in a Dr.s office for almost an hour one day when he was running late. Later that day my dad sent the doctor a bill for an hour of his time (I think it was like $280.00 or something like that) the doctor paid it with a note saying "If you have the nerve to send a bill, I feel the need to pay it"

they called today to reschedule, for Sept 24th, seems they only have one medicare tech. Maybe if they have that many medicare patients, they need to hire another medicare tech. But there it is, time to re-schedule my follow up with my doc for a week after that appointment.

When I lived in Connecticut EVERY appointment that I made in every MD/dental or hospital ran late. I would sometimes be in the waiting room for hours! I would complain and rant about how my time is valueable, and I can be working! cant they call your house and say "we are running late, would you like to reschedule or come in and wait?" the thing is EVERYDAY was a running late day. I made appointments for 9am or 1pm. First of the day or first after lunch. It was always a mess!

I moved to NH and am AMAZED! There is a sign in the waiting room that says "if you have been waiting more than 15 minutes, please ask the receptionist for help." WOW! I have looked forward to the day when I can go tap on the window and say "whats the hold up?!" but I have been here 4 almost 5 years now and NOT ONCE have I waited longer than 10. This state is spoiled rotten. If you call an MD at 10am and say "I have an ear ache, can i be seen?" they say "can you come in at noon?" WOW! In Connecticut they say "can you come in next tuesday at 7am? or I can make arrangements with a walk in clinic for you."

I am glad you got a gas card for your time.