Appointment Booking Deposit
All patients have to pay an appointment booking deposit of $10 for follow-up appointments. This will be collected in advance on top of any bills for the current visit when a follow-up appointment is given. This deposit is payable upfront, and not chargeable to company account or MCPS, as it is REFUNDABLE* when patients return for their scheduled appointments.
Why The Need For Appointment Booking Deposit?
The appointment booking deposit is to discourage “no-show” and to prevent unnecessary bookings of appointments. When a patient does not show up for their scheduled appointment, another patient misses an opportunity to receive medical attention. The deposit ensures that patients keep to their appointments or cancel / re-schedule within ample time to free up more appointment slots for those in genuine need.
*Refund of Appointment Booking Deposit
Your appointment booking deposit will be refunded when you:
- Turn up for your appointment as scheduled, and
- Are given an open date (no fixed appointment) or
- Are discharged from follow-up
Forfeit of Appointment Booking Deposit
Your appointment booking deposit will be forfeited if you:
- Fail to show up on your follow-up appointment (ie “no show")
- Fail to re-schedule or cancel your appointment, 3 working days in advance of your appointment due date.
Re-scheduling Or Cancellation Of An Appointment
If you are unable to make your appointment, we respectfully ask that you notify us at least three working days in advance. If you reschedule or make a cancellation at least three working days in advance of your appointment date, your booking deposit will not be forfeited. For example, your cancellation request of a Tuesday (26th) appointment should reach us by Thursday (21st).
Non-Payment Of Appointment Booking Deposit
If you choose not to pay the appointment booking deposit, you will not be given a fixed appointment, but an open date. You may call up for an appointment when you need one.
Waiver Of Booking Deposit
The appointment booking deposit will be waived if you are on Public Assistance or Medifund Assistance.
Late For Appointment
If you arrive late for your appointment, you will need to wait longer for consultation as patients who are punctual will be given priority.
If you arrive after the clinical session, you will be given another appointment for which the booking deposit will apply.
Please note that if you choose not to see the doctor on the day by virtue of being late, the booking deposit will also be forfeited.
NSC Penalty Rebate For Long Waiting Time
A $10 rebate on consultation fees is extended to our patients who had paid the appointment booking deposit and arrived punctually but had waited longer than target time of 75 minutes for consultation.
Definition of Waiting Time for Consultation
From appointment time to first contact with a doctor.
For patients who arrive earlier then their scheduled appointment time, their waiting time starts from their scheduled appointment.
Patients who arrive more than 20 minutes later then their appointment time will not be entitled to claim for the penalty rebate.