I missed a Dr appointment (first offence) that was scheduled at last appt more then 4 weeks prior to the missed appt.. The Dr did not provide an appointment card, reminder call, or e-mail about the appointment.
All my other Drs (pediatrician, dentist, primary care, allergist, ob-gyn) give reminder calls. I assumed that this Dr did as well and there was no mention in any documentation that this service was not provided.
For my last two appointments the Dr's office called me the day of my appointment asking me to reschedule the appt. time. I did both times to accomodate the doctor.
I missed one appt and 3 days later I received a bill for $ 40. I wrote the doctor about the bill and received no response. The doctor sent another bill stating he turned the account to a collection agency. I live less then 7 mins fron dr and could have made the appt AND had the session if the office staff made 1 call. I think Dr fee is unreasonable.
Can i sue in small claims
I tried working things out with the doctor's staff to no avail. I got different stories about the office's policy WRT appointment notification.
What makes the fee so infuriating is the office's lack of response to my questions and their refusal to provide a written statement as to their appointment policy.
Answer by Luck91
I'm not familiar with NJ law; however, typically you can sue anyone for darn near anything.
FIRST:
Please keep in mind though that it may not be your Dr directly, but his office. Your first action should be to try and work it out directly with your doctor in person if possible, over phone, or in writing. You might find that your doctor will simply have the office through it out. Especially, if you voice how you feel you have been treated is wrong and if that fails you can always advise them you will continue with the matter.
Then,
Be sure you keep everything well documented with who said what when. If you do go to court, this is paramount.
You have a reasonable dispute with business (the doctors business). You might first start by contacting the people that your taxes pay for like the Attorney General http://www.state.nj.us/lps/
Good luck.
What do you think? Answer below!
Orignal From: Can I sue a doctor in NJ small claims court if it's about a fee and not malpractice?
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