We know life happens and plans can change. If you need to cancel or reschedule, we ask that you call us at least 24 hours before your appointment whenever possible. Giving us notice helps us offer that appointment time to another patient who may be waiting for care and shows respect for our physicians'' time. After all, they're here for you!
If you repeatedly fail to inform us you will not be coming to your appointment, cancel with less than 24 hours' notice and/or arrive more than 10 minutes late for your appointment, it can affect your ability to continue receiving care in that department.
Here's how we define it:
- No-show: You fail to come to a scheduled appointment and have not cancelled it.
- Late cancellation: You cancel less than 24 hours before your scheduled appointment.
- Late arrival: If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, we may need to reschedule your visit if your provider is unable to see you.
Established patients who have three qualifying events within a rolling 12-month period may be dismissed from that department. New patients who have two qualifying events within a rolling 12-month period will be subject to non-establishment of care within that department. Before a final decision is made, your provider will review the circumstances and may make an exception when appropriate.
Rest assured we'll notify you via email and/or standard US mail for each missed appointment, late cancellation and/or late arrival, so you'll always know exactly where you stand with us.
We understand that emergencies and unexpected istuations happen. If something affects your ability to keep an appointment, please contact your clinic as soon as you can. We can work with you and help keep your care on track.
Missed appointments and late cancellations can make it harder for other patients to access care. The policy helps us use appointment time responsibly and apply the same expectations consistently. Please let us know at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment whenever possible. This gives us the opportunity to offer that appointment time to another patient. A cancellation made less than 24 hours before the scheduled appointment time. If you arrive more than 10 minutes after your scheduled appointment time, we will check with your provider to determine whether you can still be seen that day. If your provider is unable to see you, we will help you reschedule. This may be counted as a late arrival under the policy. For established patients, three documented occurrences within a 12-month period may result in termination from that department. For new patients, two documented occurrences within a 12-month period may result in termination or the decision not to establish care within that department. Qualifying occurrences include no-shows, cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, and arriving more than 10 minutes late when your provider is unable to see you. No. A warning is intended to let you know that an appointment occurrence has been documented under the policy and that additional occurrences may affect your ability to receive care within that department. If you are a new patient, another occurrence may affect your ability to establish care. If you are an established patient, additional occurrences may affect your ability to continue receiving care within that department. We understand that unexpected situations happen. Please contact your clinic and explain the circumstances. The clinic can review your situation and answer any questions you may have. No. In most cases, termination applies only to the department involved. If you are terminated from a department other than Family Medicine, you may continue receiving care from other Iowa Clinic departments from which you have not been terminated. For Family Medicine, termination may apply to a specific location. You may still be able to receive Family Medicine care at another Iowa Clinic location, as well as care from other departments. Please contact your clinic so we can verify you current email address and mailing address and review the warning information associated with your account. Please contact the clinic where your appointment was scheduled. We want to make sure your situation was handled appropriately and will review your questions with you.Appointment Cancellation & No-Show FAQs