"Your appt is at 11:30, but come 15 minutes early for paperwork."

[Tranquility7]

Why is it that virtually every time I make an appt these days there is a "come 15 minutes early" tag at the end? Am I the only one who is driven nuts by this? For one thing, if you ask if I can come to an 11:30 appt and I say yes, that means I can come at 11:30, not that I can come at 11:15. For another thing, if there is 15 minutes of paperwork, why not just start that at 11:30 then? It's not like ANY dr office I have ever been to runs like clockwork and actually calls you back at your appt time anyway.

 

I assume they do this so they don’t have to deal with the inconvenience of late patients. But really, to inconvenience EVERY patient by making them come early just to sit there? And in fact the “late†patients would be the only ones NOT inconvenienced by this request, since they would probably arrive at their actual appointment time.

 

I often ignore the request anymore because so many dr offices request it for nonexistent “paperworkâ€, and now yesterday when I got to my mammogram appt 2 minutes early instead of 15 minutes early I was chewed out by the receptionist. Then the paperwork took 2 minutes (literally!!) and I sat there for 10 minutes before I was called back. Good grief.

[Annie G]

I agree- I think it's to make sure you're there on time.  I've had a few that told me that and when I show up they simply ask if I'm at the same address and if my insurance is the same. Grr...

I ignore the request unless it's a new provider.

[kewb]

I always ask if they can email me the paperwork so I can fill it out in advance. Most of the doc offices are happy to do so.

What I hate is filling out all that paperwork and then the doctor proceeds to ask me every question I just answered instead of looking at the paperwork.

[Ethel Mertz]

Yep. Our primary care doc's office wants us to come 20 minutes early, each and every time.

[Mimm]

I only come early when it's my first appointment and I know I have forms to fill out. Also, my pediatricians offices are well run and our appointments aren't late.

[ajfries]

I ALWAYS show up 15 minutes early for appointments (it's a compulsion) and I ALWAYS regret it when I end up waiting over a half hour to be seen.

[JudoMom]

I hate that, but the worst was when an office told me my appointment time was at 11:15 when it was actually at 11:30.  Since I'm never late and like to arrive a few minutes early, it meant I was there at 11:05ish.  I wasn't a happy camper.

[Χά�ων]

The appointment time for the doctor. If there is paperwork that must be completed and you arrive at the appointment time you still have to do it and are late to see the doctor. The 15 minutes is for the front office staff to check you in, get insurance information, fill out paperwork (if needed) and possibly for the nurse to get vitals and such. 

 

[LucyStoner]

I always ask if they can email me the paperwork so I can fill it out in advance. Most of the doc offices are happy to do so.

What I hate is filling out all that paperwork and then the doctor proceeds to ask me every question I just answered instead of looking at the paperwork.

This is what I do. Most practices I've been to now have all of the new patient and health history forms on their website.

[Butter]

I agree- I think it's to make sure you're there on time. 

 

It really is to make sure you are there on time.  Being just a few minutes late doesn't seem like a big deal, but if several people in a row are late, it pushes the time back further and further.  And then it's *really* annoying for those of us who get places early and have to wait well past our appointment times.  Telling people to come early "for paperwork" means those habitually late ones will be there on time.  I've worked as a receptionist and I've seen people come into doctor's offices saying they are late, but it's "no big deal."  Actually, yes.  It is a big deal.  And here is the result.

[JudoMom]

The appointment time for the doctor. If there is paperwork that must be completed and you arrive at the appointment time you still have to do it and are late to see the doctor. The 15 minutes is for the front office staff to check you in, get insurance information, fill out paperwork (if needed) and possibly for the nurse to get vitals and such.

 

 

Except. more often than not, that's not the case.  Most of my appointments are with the same specialists.  There is nothing to update.  If they have new paperwork because of a new system, then I simply take it back with me when I'm called and finish filling it out.  Since I'm often kept waiting in either the waiting room or the exam room, it's not an issue.  I'm never late to see the doctor.  The doctors, more often than not, are late to see me (which, I understand, at times is unavoidable).  But it's disrespectful to me and of my time to have me arrive 15 or more minutes early when there is nothing to be done.

 

 

[JudoMom]

It really is to make sure you are there on time.  Being just a few minutes late doesn't seem like a big deal, but if several people in a row are late, it pushes the time back further and further.  And then it's *really* annoying for those of us who get places early and have to wait well past our appointment times.  Telling people to come early "for paperwork" means those habitually late ones will be there on time.  I've worked as a receptionist and I've seen people come into doctor's offices saying they are late, but it's "no big deal."  Actually, yes.  It is a big deal.  And here is the result.

 

One of my specialists will not see you if you are late.  Even by one minute.  He's my favorite, because he's always on time :D.

[Χά�ων]

Except. more often than not, that's not the case.  Most of my appointments are with the same specialists.  There is nothing to update.  If they have new paperwork because of a new system, then I simply take it back with me when I'm called and finish filling it out.  Since I'm often kept waiting in either the waiting room or the exam room, it's not an issue.  I'm never late to see the doctor.  The doctors, more often than not, are late to see me (which, I understand, at times is unavoidable).  But it's disrespectful to me and of my time to have me arrive 15 or more minutes early when there is nothing to be done.

 

How are they to know that you do not have any insurance or address changes? People move, insurances change, things change. 

[Greta]

My primary doc's office policy is that the appoinment time is the time that you will actually see the doctor. So you need to get there 15 minutes early to get checked in by reception, get your vitals checked by the nurse, etc. I don't mind showing up 15 minutes before the appointment time, because I am always seeing the doctor AT the scheduled time.

 

Now offices where a 2:00 appointment means you'll see the doc sometime between 2:45 and 3:30, THAT ticks me off!

[Annie G]

It really is to make sure you are there on time.  Being just a few minutes late doesn't seem like a big deal, but if several people in a row are late, it pushes the time back further and further.  And then it's *really* annoying for those of us who get places early and have to wait well past our appointment times.  Telling people to come early "for paperwork" means those habitually late ones will be there on time.  I've worked as a receptionist and I've seen people come into doctor's offices saying they are late, but it's "no big deal."  Actually, yes.  It is a big deal.  And here is the result.

 

I agree-being late is a big inconvenience to everyone but the late person! But since I am one of those always-get-there-early people, telling me to get there early means I get there WAY too early. I get that they don't know whether I'm going to be there on time or not, so they tell me that. Since I always get there early, I ignore it and we're both relatively happy.  I get to the reception desk about 10 minutes before my appointment.I consider that on time. If they tell me to arrive 15 minutes early and I follow my normal routine, I get there 25 minutes before my scheduled time and then if they are running late, I get grumpy that I am sitting there forever. 

 

We're actually really fortunate because we live in a smallish town and our health care network is really well run. We're a block from the cardiologist and we've never waited more than a few minutes past our appointment time to be seen.  I'm sure a lot of these issues are compounded with more busy practices.  Even our walk in clinic and ER usually require just a few minutes of wait time.  We have it made and I am grateful for that!

[Annie G]

How are they to know that you do not have any insurance or address changes? People move, insurances change, things change. 

 

Ours asks that when we make the appointment, then again at check in.  

[Word Nerd]

 I get to the reception desk about 10 minutes before my appointment.I consider that on time. If they tell me to arrive 15 minutes early and I follow my normal routine, I get there 25 minutes before my scheduled time and then if they are running late, I get grumpy that I am sitting there forever. 

 

 

Honestly, that's your own issue. No one's making you get there 10 minutes before 15 minutes before the appointment. Just stop doing that.

[elegantlion]

The appointment time for the doctor. If there is paperwork that must be completed and you arrive at the appointment time you still have to do it and are late to see the doctor. The 15 minutes is for the front office staff to check you in, get insurance information, fill out paperwork (if needed) and possibly for the nurse to get vitals and such. 

 

:iagree:  When I worked for the vet's office, there was always something. Even if it's just one person asking the front desk person questions, it can create a back up. Lately, it's been printer issues at my doctor's office. Even something as simple as removing a paper jam can set you back a few minutes. Combine that with a few more minutes and multiple doctor's in one office it can really get behind. 

 

The appointment time is the time they hope to get your back into the exam room. They don't call it the waiting room for no reason. 

[73349]

Hear, hear! I am making the appointment at the time I am committed to being there (and I'll probably be five or ten minutes earlier than that). If I make an appointment at 4, do not tell me you expect me at 3:45. I can't make it at 3:45, which is why I made the appointment at 4.

[Χά�ων]

:iagree:  When I worked for the vet's office, there was always something. Even if it's just one person asking the front desk person questions, it can create a back up. Lately, it's been printer issues at my doctor's office. Even something as simple as removing a paper jam can set you back a few minutes. Combine that with a few more minutes and multiple doctor's in one office it can really get behind. 

 

The appointment time is the time they hope to get your back into the exam room. They don't call it the waiting room for no reason. 

Paper jam = simple? 

 

It takes me weeks of ignoring the jam and ending up with a deadline before I can get my printer unjammed.

[Ali in OR]

I get to do this today with dd for an eye appointment, and I would say this is usual for most appointments for all of us. My experience is that it is usually a pretty smooth process--once I turn in the paperwork I am usually called by quickly, sometimes before my scheduled time. Dd has plenty of medical issues, so I think it's pretty important for me to explain her condition thoroughly or update how the last year has gone on that paperwork. The one doctor's office that often runs late is my dd's neurologist, but I've been on the other side where we have been throwing off the doctor's schedule due to her seizure issues. I'm understanding if he is running late, assuming he is helping someone else through a scary situation.

[Seasider]

I have also experienced showing up the requested 15 minutes early and having to do nothing more than be asked if there's been any changes to my insurance since the last visit. Now I only actually go early if it's a new-to-us practitioner and even then, I ask if I can download paperwork from their web site to complete at home prior to the visit.

[Spryte]

I don't mind arriving early - the doctor is scheduled to see me at x time, and the front desk needs to check me in, etc. I get it.

 

The thing that bothers me right now is the online patient portal stuff. I spent a good thirty minutes registering DD with the allergist's office, filling out health history, etc. only to arrive at the doc office and have the website down. I had to do it all over again!!!! Aaaaggghhh.

[Amira]

I guess I'll be the person that doesn't mind this. The only time it's a problem for me is if I have a small child with me and that's never going to be a fun appointment no matter when we show up- and getting there early always seems to help things move along anyway. When I'm with an older child, an adult, or on my own, I love it when I get a few extra minutes to sit quietly and read a book or chat with a family member.

[creekland]

I always ask if they can email me the paperwork so I can fill it out in advance. Most of the doc offices are happy to do so.

What I hate is filling out all that paperwork and then the doctor proceeds to ask me every question I just answered instead of looking at the paperwork.

 

Ditto.  And the questions that ask if you've ever had teA that come right after asking if you have any biological children (to which I answer, yes, 3).  :lol:

 

Then there are the answers they seem not to believe, so leave to go double check on. :glare:

 

I've quit filling out paperwork (mostly - still do very basic ones) or online forms.  There's no point to them that I can see.

 

As for time?  I've quit worrying about it.  I allow time to get there on time (using their "early" time as my appt time, not the true appt time) and then just figure I'll be done when I'm done.

 

A couple of times I've been out before my actual appt time.  A few times it's been a couple of hours later (with most of it being waiting time).  Such is life.  It's not worth sweating the "small stuff" to me.

 

This makes it interesting when I get those surveys (How was your visit?) a couple of weeks later.  I can't answer any of the wait time questions as I honestly don't pay attention.

 

Maybe it's another way that I'm abnormal...

[Laura Corin]

I only experience this at the optician, where the assistant does some pre-testing before you go in to see the optician herself.  Otherwise, it's walk in, give your name, that's it.  I'm usually there ten minutes early, just to make sure I'm not late, but that's just my personal preference.

[Valley Girl]

I'm one of those people who arrives early, so I get REALLY annoyed when the office staff builds a buffer into the appointment time. For example, one of my kiddos has a doctor's appointment. I make the appointment for 10:10. I get an automated message asking me to confirm the appointment with the office, and it says the appointment is at 10:30. I call to confirm and get told it's 10:20.

 

Tell me what time I'll actually see a doctor, and I'll be there early. But if you build in a 20-minute buffer and give me a bogus time, guess what? I'll arrive 15-20 minutes before that and end up sitting an unreasonable amount of time, especially considering the doctor's often running a bit late.

 

I'd like my time to be respected, too.

[Butter]

What I hate is filling out all that paperwork and then the doctor proceeds to ask me every question I just answered instead of looking at the paperwork.

 

Actually there is a valid medical reason for this, too.  A lot of people forget or get in a just mark an x for no on everything groove while filling out the papers.  Being asked the same question multiple times actually reminds many people that, in fact, something that doesn't bother them so it's not in the forefront of their mind but is important for medical history anyway, should have been a yes but was marked no.  Obviously, some people are very conscientious filling out forms (and being on time) but not everyone is and so being asked something multiple times (or being told to come in earlier than your appointment time) is how providers get the most accurate information from their patients.

 

What drives me crazy is waiting for an hour at the orthodontist past the kids' appointment times and all the while there is a big sign that says if you are 15 or more minutes late your appointment will be rescheduled.  This place is *always* 30+ minutes behind!

[J-rap]

They always tell me this too (in fact, our clinic now says 20 minutes early).  But unless it's a new clinic or unique situation, I arrive just 5 minutes early and it always seems to be enough time to fill out the random form.

[happypamama]

It's not unreasonable to me, especially for new patients. If I need to fill out paperwork for children (and often, it's multiple children, because I try to schedule at least two children at once, back to back), arriving a few minutes early lets me fill out all that stuff so they can maybe get it in the computer, and then by my appointment time, the nurse and doctor are ready for us. I have had it work that way. Not always, but on occasion, especially with specialists. (And that time is especially useful if I'm trying to do it while taking coats off of children and such.)

 

But for returning patients, that extra time isn't generally necessary.

[catz]

I suspect people abuse the system.  I took my dd to the ped the other day.  I checked in at like 2:35 to a 2:45 appointment.  The guy checking in next to me at 2:35 had a 2:30 appointment.  I suspect most places wouldn't say anything as long as you were actually ON TIME. 

[Loowit]

I only get that request for new patient appointments. I don't think I have ever been asked to be early to a routine appointment with an established doctor.  What does bother me is when I found out that the pediatrician's office has started telling people to "arrive at" a certain time, but then finding out that your appointment is actually 15 minutes after that.  I found this out when I took my sick DS in for an appointment.  We checked in and then waited and waited and waited.  I went up to ask if they were running behind and stated that my appointment was at X time and it was 45 minutes after that.  The receptionist was not very polite and informed me that X time was the arrive time not the time of the appointment.  I was not happy.  They finally got us back to a room an hour after our arrive at time.

[purpleowl]

My favorite was the time I was scheduling an appt and the person said, "How about 9:00?"  I answered that I couldn't be there by 9:00 because of when my child care was available, could I do 9:30 instead?  She said sure, 9:30 is fine, and proceeded to ask a few more questions like address and insurance.  Before we hung up, she said, "Okay, so I've got you scheduled for 9:30, but please come 30 minutes early to fill out paperwork."

[Jean in Newcastle]

I've only had receptionists upset at me twice in the last year.  Since I literally see doctors multiple times in one week at times, this is a pretty good track record.

 

The first time I was truly and utterly late but it was totally unavoidable.  There was a crash on the freeway in front of me.  Traffic was at a standstill.  I called ds and had him call to explain the situation to the doctor's office.  The receptionist was still p.o'd at me when I got there.  If it had been an appt. with the doctor I could see her point but it wasn't - I was there for a shot from a nurse that took her less than a minute to jab in my arm.  Unfortunately it wasn't a shot I could get just anywhere so I had to drive to the big city.  Anyway, she was ticked, but I stood there like a pleasant unmovable rock and she got me in to see the nurse.

 

The second time was the fault of the medical office in my view.  I was early but the medical parking garage was totally full but the marquee out front said that there were vacancies.  There was a long line of cars trying to find non-existent parking. The parking attendant finally got a clue and directed us to the staff parking area.   I told the annoyed receptionist that he was going to have a bad day if this upset him because there were going to be a whole bunch of late patients due to them not redirecting us to the other parking area in time.  He calmed down and saw the humor in that.  

[Angie in VA]

Took my dc to the doc recently. I had to fill out forms even though nothing has changed for us and he was seen Feb 2014 for a physical to play sports. They update records every year, so the receptionist said. I did arrive a bit early, paid my co-pay and started on the forms. We got called back before I could finish them. I turned them in as we checked out, which entailed making sure Rx's were called in to the right place (since I'd already paid the co-pay). 

 

I never put the time of arrival on the form when I sign in for a scheduled appointment. Sometimes I put the time the appt is scheduled for, but not always. 

[LostSurprise]

My son has medical issues so we see a lot of doctors, general and specialties. At this point I always interpret Check-in as 'be 15 minutes early if you are a new patient or have new information, otherwise be 5 minutes before the scheduled time.' I also like to think of it as the time we shoot for and the time we absolutely have to be there.

 

Of course, this can come back to haunt you. It turns out that while my interpretation is completely reasonable for almost every physician and counselor we've seen, psychotherapists at our clinic actually do expect you to come in 15 minutes early. Check-in for them includes vitals usually done at appointment time for other doctors. They explained nicely to me that Check-in is nurse time for their office. No other office in the system has it scheduled that way, so it really depends on the office. 

[chocolatechip]

I don't know, I've never had this experience. I usually try to arrive 5-10 min. early for any appointment due to preference. That gives me enough time to fill out any paperwork they may have. Sometimes they even get me in early depending on the day. 

[Tammi K]

I hate that, but the worst was when an office told me my appointment time was at 11:15 when it was actually at 11:30.  Since I'm never late and like to arrive a few minutes early, it meant I was there at 11:05ish.  I wasn't a happy camper.

 

Yep. This. Exactly!   

 

And besides, who ever takes 15 minutes to fill out the paperwork. Even if it is several forms, I can usually get them completed in under 5 minutes.  

 

I hate it when people don't value my time.

 

[kbutton]

I think some offices actually verify your insurance information with the insurance company before they will take you back, and that is part of the reason for coming early. We had that happen at a dermatology office. We had a very early appointment time (arrived on time), and as it turns out, the office could not verify our insurance because the insurance number line for doctor's offices listed of the back of the card would not be available for another hour! So, that may be one reason offices are getting more snippy about arriving early. I've been to other offices that are very laid back and don't blink an eye about paperwork ("You can finish that after you see the doctor--no problem").

 

As for the derm office, we were, of course, treated like it was our fault the insurance line was not staffed that early in the AM and made to wait, wait, wait. On top of that, we are HSA folks, so we have no co-pay, and per our insurance, we can't be forced to pay a co-pay. Apparently they'd not had that happen before (but they do accept our insurance). Eventually we were allowed to see a practitioner (who was very professional and competent), but we were treated like criminals by the office people the whole time. We were not allowed to leave until we'd practically obtained a notarized statement saying that we'd pay if the insurance didn't (in spite of the fact that we knew full well and acknowledged that we had no co-pay and would be responsible for the entire bill at a negotiated rate). They were livid with us that they could not obtain the exact amount we owed from the insurance company before we left so that we could pay that day. Apparently they felt they were above having to file insurance claims. I'm not even sure we had money with us that day because they hadn't told us all of this, and of course, we were not planning to have a co-pay. They were very nasty. And all of this over toenail fungus. Sheesh. 

[Ottakee]

I have to laugh as my friend is a FNP and we walk over her lunch hour.  I asked her what time I should be there and she says noon.  I was shocked.  After all, by the 11:45 patient at most offices it is 12;15 or later...........but low and behold, almost every time she is walking out the door at 12:01 to go walking.  Her practice must be well run.  She is efficient as well.

 

Our new psychiatrist just asked us to be there 1/2 hour early for paperwork........yet sent me all 10 pages for each child to fill out ahead of time.

[3 ladybugs]

For my oncologist they say to be there 1 hour to 30 minutes early. She always draws blood and they need to process it before I see her. It takes me 45 minutes to 1 hour to get down there and you can see why I think of this as an all day event to see my doctor for 10 minutes!! Thankfully it is only once a year now.

[Alice]

I will say this: those of you who: 

-come early to appointments or even on time

-fill our forms accurately without forgetting major medical information or lying

-remember to actually update the office when you have a new cell phone or address

 

are in the vast minority. 

 

That is all. :) 

[Jean in Newcastle]

For my oncologist they say to be there 1 hour to 30 minutes early. She always draws blood and they need to process it before I see her. It takes me 45 minutes to 1 hour to get down there and you can see why I think of this as an all day event to see my doctor for 10 minutes!! Thankfully it is only once a year now.

I am thankful that my doc has me go for lab work two days before our actual appointment.  Esp. nice since all my lab work is fasting.  

[Annie G]

I will say this: those of you who: 

-come early to appointments or even on time

-fill our forms accurately without forgetting major medical information or lying

-remember to actually update the office when you have a new cell phone or address

 

are in the vast minority. 

 

That is all. :)

 

 

We've had the same address, phone number, and insurance for 20 years. Same cell number for more than ten years.  That's probably unusual, though. 

 

As for the percentage of patients who arrive late, there is this data: 

 

http://fivethirtyeight.com/datalab/dear-mona-how-often-do-people-arrive-late-to-appointments/

[Jean in Newcastle]

I have to laugh as my friend is a FNP and we walk over her lunch hour.  I asked her what time I should be there and she says noon.  I was shocked.  After all, by the 11:45 patient at most offices it is 12;15 or later...........but low and behold, almost every time she is walking out the door at 12:01 to go walking.  Her practice must be well run.  She is efficient as well.

 

Our new psychiatrist just asked us to be there 1/2 hour early for paperwork........yet sent me all 10 pages for each child to fill out ahead of time.

I'm usually given the option of coming with all the forms filled out OR coming early to fill them out there.  

[unsinkable]

Anyone else thinking of the nursery rhyme...

 

A dillar, a dollar, a 10 o'clock scholar?

What makes you come so soon?

You used to come at 10 o'clock but now you come at noon.

[SparklyUnicorn]

I will say this: those of you who: 

-come early to appointments or even on time

-fill our forms accurately without forgetting major medical information or lying

-remember to actually update the office when you have a new cell phone or address

 

are in the vast minority. 

 

That is all. :)

 

 

Doctors who read the information are also in the vast minority.  I get so annoyed when they make me fill all that out and then it is very obvious they didn't even glance at it.  I do get that there may be a lot of information, but at least look at the parts where I've written down a description and not just checked off boxes.  Happened to me at an eye doctor place.  No excuse for it as far as I'm concerned because the forms weren't that lengthy.  The guy almost screamed at me because of something and he would not have if he bothered to look at the form.  Oh and there were no other patients waiting to be seen.  I could see him basically doing nothing while I waited long past my appointment time to be called in.

 

Not directing this at you exactly except to say this goes both ways. 

[SparklyUnicorn]

I once got lost on the way to an office.  I was exactly on time because I always leave way way too early and am way too early.  I live in fear of being late.  LOL  So I was apologizing profusely feeling I was like three hours late (when in fact not late at all).  They looked at me like I was nuts. 

 

Onto the original topic.  I try to get the forms off their website.  It never takes me 15 minutes though.  Geesh.

 

 

[3 ladybugs]

I am thankful that my doc has me go for lab work two days before our actual appointment. Esp. nice since all my lab work is fasting.

That stinks! I am not fasting thankfully.

 

When I still had my port, I would be triaged twice though. Once to get to the chemo rooms, another to see the doctor. I don't fool myself. I know my appointment time is soft because I am not critical anymore. The longer I wait for my doctor now, the happier I am! She comes too fast and I panic!

[Jean in Newcastle]

That stinks! I am not fasting thankfully.

 

When I still had my port, I would be triaged twice though. Once to get to the chemo rooms, another to see the doctor. I don't fool myself. I know my appointment time is soft because I am not critical anymore. The longer I wait for my doctor now, the happier I am! She comes too fast and I panic!

My labs often take double or even triple the time that other people's labs take.  Most of the phlebotomists are very experienced there but even so it is very difficult to get blood from a turnip.  They see me and go immediately for the hot packs.  We've even had to soak my entire arm in a wastebasket of hot water.  That was sort of like a spa!  The lab tech joked about what color I wanted for my manicure.  My last phlebotomist there was new and was a pain - literally.  She went to three different spots and dug in each one.  And when she finally found one, it tapped out before she got enough for the test.  I was not a happy camper because she refused to listen to me about hot packs etc. because "she knew best."  So that's another reason I don't mind driving into the city on a separate day because if there were a time stress on top of that it could be bad!