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We understand that paying a cancel fee can be frustrating, and we genuinely dislike having to enforce it.
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Sometimes there are good reasons for cancelling or rescheduling appointments. However, unlike brief medical appointments, it is impracticable to fill a psychology appointment that runs for 50 minutes at short notice.
For Worksafe, TAC, VOCAT, and other third-party clients, you are responsible for paying for your cancellation fees, as third parties and insurers tend not to cover cancellation and no-show fees.
In some cases where they do cover the appointment fee you may lose that session.
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Aim:
The aim of this policy is:
- Ensure that other clients do not miss out on the opportunity to access therapy.
- Reduce the income loss as a direct result of late cancellations and missed appointments.
- Reduce the level of late cancellations and missed appointments.
- Reduce disruptions to the psychologists’ diaries and loss of psychologists’ time in preparation because of late cancellations and no-show appointments.
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Furthermore: ​
​Calling is the most effective way to ensure we receive appropriate notice. You are welcome to leave a message outside of business hours if it is before the cancellation deadline. (Please do not call after 5.00pm on a Friday and leave a message to cancel an appointment scheduled for the Monday as you will incur the cancellation fee).
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Please note that while we endeavour to remind you of your appointments through SMS reminders, these should not be relied upon and it is your responsibility to remember appointments you have made.
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Cancellation fees are payable on the phone at the time of cancellation, or an invoice will be sent directly to your email for which you can do a direct bank transfer. Outstanding accounts (maximum terms = 7-14 days) will be referred for debt collection.
​** PLEASE NOTE: NO FUTURE APPOINTMENTS CAN BE BOOKED IF YOU HAVE AN OUTSTANDING ACCOUNT **
Cancellation Fees Explained:
Cancels the day before appointment - $50
Cancels on the day of appointment - $245 $200 (Concession /Pension Holder)
Does not attend appointment - $245 (Full Fee) $200 (Concession /Pension Holder)
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Our cancellation policy is based on the same rationale as many other industries. We trust you will agree that this is a fair and reasonable policy and we thank you for your understanding. ​
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A late cancellation, late rescheduled appointment or failure to attend your appointment is a loss to three people:
1. The client who is delaying their therapy progress
2. Another client who has been sitting on the waiting list to see the psychologist urgently
3. The psychologist who spent time preparing for the session, set aside the time in their calendar and lost income.
Liz Macmillan Clinical Psychology reserves the right to reschedule appointments at any time, without compensation, if it is deemed necessary due to staff illness or other unforeseen circumstances.
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(The Office of Fair Trading states that a business is within its rights to charge a cancellation or “no-show” fee for appointments, so long as this has been communicated to a new patient or customer.)