Missed appointments stop costing you.
When a patient doesn't show, Guacamole collects the fee. When one cancels, it fills the slot. You do nothing.
Nothing to pay to start. We earn only when money comes back to you.
The visit is gone. The fee never comes.
What no-shows cost medical practices.
~20%
no-show rates reported across the medical industry1
$25 → $50
a typical escalating fee: first and second missed visit2
50%+
fewer no-shows with reminders, according to one reminder vendor3
Billing a patient feels wrong.
Your team cares for these people. Sending a bill for a missed visit feels like the opposite of care, so the policy on the wall is never applied.
Guacamole does the asking. You stay the one they like.
- 10:40Room 2 is ready for a follow-up.
- 10:55The patient hasn't arrived. The nurse moves on.
- 11:10Staff call; no answer.
- 11:15The slot is lost, and a sick patient waited a week for it.
Prevent. Protect. Recover. Refill.
How it works.
Prevent
Smart reminders, and rescheduling patients can do themselves.
Protect
Every visit is secured with a card at booking. Nothing is charged upfront.
Recover
No-show or late cancel? The fee in your policy is collected and paid to you.
Refill
Freed slots are offered to patients waiting for an earlier visit.
What no-shows cost your practice.
Set to typical numbers for medical practices. Change them to yours.
Your no-show policy, ready to use.
Copy it, change the bracketed numbers, and post it. Then let Guacamole make sure it actually gets paid.
No-Show and Late Cancellation Policy We hold each appointment for you and turn other patients away to keep it. Please give us at least 24 hours' notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. A "no-show" is any appointment where the patient: • does not arrive, • arrives more than 15 minutes late and cannot be seen, or • cancels with less than 24 hours' notice. Fees: $[25] for the first no-show and $[50] for each one after that. Three no-shows within 12 months may lead to discharge from the practice. This policy applies to all patients equally. The office manager may waive a fee in genuine emergencies. A card is kept on file to secure your appointment and is only charged under this policy.
Charge it the right way.
The rules.
Medicare patients
Medicare guidance allows a missed-appointment charge only if you charge non-Medicare patients the same way. Apply one policy to everyone.4
Consent on record
Patients accept the policy when they book. Most offices also post it in the waiting area.
Privacy
Messages contain no private information. Only time, policy and amount.
What it looks like for medical practices.
Example figures at an average price of $150. Prevented and refilled visits are revenue you keep that would otherwise be lost.
In short
Guacamole is revenue recovery for medical offices. Patients accept your no-show policy when they book and secure the visit with a card. Reminders reduce missed visits, the fee is collected only after a no-show or late cancel, and freed slots go to patients who need an earlier visit.
Questions medical practices ask
Is it legal for a doctor's office to charge a no-show fee?
In most places, yes, when patients agree to the policy beforehand. For Medicare patients, the charge must match what you charge everyone else.
Can we charge Medicare patients?
Medicare guidance allows it only when the same policy and fee apply to all patients. The charge is billed to the patient, not to Medicare.
What should a no-show policy include?
The notice window, what counts as a no-show, the fee, how repeat no-shows are handled, and emergency exceptions. Use the free template on this page.
Does this replace our EHR?
No. Guacamole handles booking, reminders and payments for appointments. Your client records stay where they are.
What does it cost?
Free to start, no contract. See the pricing page.