WKTV File
ROME, N.Y. — Rome Health will introduce a new appointment cancellation and no-show policy to help patients get better access to care.
The new policy will start on May 1 with a three-month grace period through July focused on educating patients.
Patients who miss medical practice office visits or outpatient services for testing and treatment, or cancel with less than 24 hours’ notice, may be charged a $25 fee.
The fee for missed or late-canceled MRI appointments will be $100.
For procedures such as sleep studies, endoscopy, surgery and certain radiological services, patients must cancel at least seven days in advance.
Missing these appointments or canceling with less than seven days’ notice may result in a $100 fee.
Rome Health stated that patients have raised concerns about long wait times due to high demand for services.
The new policy, along with appointment reminders, is intended to make sure more appointment slots are available for those who need care.
Rome Health noted that missed appointments and last-minute cancellations prevent it from offering those times to other patients, which can delay important evaluations, testing and treatment.