To improve access to care for patients across the community, Rome Health will implement a new appointment cancellation and no-show policy effective Friday, May 1. The first three months — May through July — will serve as a grace period focused on patient education.
For medical practice office visits and outpatient services for testing and treatment, patients may be subject to a $25 fee for missed appointments and cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice. For MRIs, the fee would be $100.
Some procedures, including sleep studies, endoscopy, surgery and certain radiological procedures, require specialized staffing, preparation, or equipment. For these services, cancellations must be made seven days in advance so the appointment may be offered to another patient. Patients who cancel with less than seven days’ notice or miss these appointments may be charged a $100 fee.
Patients have expressed concerns about long waits for appointments because of the increased demand for services. The new appointment policy, combined with the continued use of appointment reminders, is designed to ensure that all available appointments can be used by patients who need care.
Missed appointments and last-minute cancellations prevent Rome Health from offering those time slots to other patients who may be waiting for care, delaying important evaluations, testing, and treatment.
“Every appointment represents an opportunity for someone in our community to receive care,” said Chief Medical Officer Cristian Andrade, M.D. “When patients are active partners and provide advance notice, we can offer that time to someone else who needs it. This policy is designed to improve access and better serve our community.”
Rome Health recognizes that unexpected circumstances occur. Fees may be waived for extenuating circumstances, such as illness or emergencies. Patients are encouraged to notify their care team as soon as possible if they cannot keep their appointment. By providing advance notice, patients help ensure appointments remain available for others in the community who need timely care.