Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

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RetiredCSProf
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Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by RetiredCSProf »

On Sunday, I walked over to my neighborhood urgent care center. I have had a cold for over a week and was concerned that I'm not getting better. I am a recovering cancer patient and my immune system is still out-of-whack. Luckily, this has turned out to be just a cold.

The door to the urgent care center was locked, and there was a new sign on the door saying that they see patients only by appointment.

When I called this morning, they said they are no longer open on weekends and all appointments must be scheduled online. I was able to book online for a same-day appointment, but was required to pay a $9.99 fee to confirm my appointment. I mistakenly thought this would be deducted from my $10 (Medicare) co-pay. The $9.99 was a booking fee, in addition to my copay.

Their explanation is that too many patients miss/skip their appointments. Why should I be penalized for this?
bobn60014
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by bobn60014 »

Now you know. Show your displeasure with your feet and wallet.. Find a different provider
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windaar
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by windaar »

Are there other UCs near you? There must be a half dozen near me. Find one that has better hours and service.
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Dusn
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by Dusn »

Was it taken over by private equity?
Random Poster
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by Random Poster »

Getting urgent care by appointment only is a curiously ironic way to do things.
Most experiences are better imagined.
jebmke
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by jebmke »

Random Poster wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:01 pm Getting urgent care by appointment only is a curiously ironic way to do things.
Next up, ambulances by reservation only.

We are only a couple of turns of the crank before we are all doing surgery with Youtube videos, X-Acto knives and Dremel Tools.
Don't trust me, look it up. https://www.irs.gov/forms-instructions-and-publications
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Doom&Gloom
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by Doom&Gloom »

Random Poster wrote: Mon Feb 03, 2025 7:01 pm Getting urgent care by appointment only is a curiously ironic way to do things.
Where are Steven Wright and George Carlin?

I would be more than willing to pay that fee if it meant I would be seen at my appointment time rather than waiting around in a room full of sick people. Otherwise I'm going somewhere else next time.
LotsaGray
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by LotsaGray »

Their claim is self contradictory. Some one books and pays $10. They show up and you deduct the $10 from final bill. They book and don’t show they are out the $10. So the deductible booking fee protects them.

The real reason is they need a way to pay the online booking agent wo reducing there procedure reimbursements. They likely split the fee but who knows at what ratio.
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LadyGeek
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Re: Urgent care center charges $9.99 booking fee

Post by LadyGeek »

This thread has run its course and is locked (rant). See: Personal Consumer Issues
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