It may seem like common courtesy, but it never hurts to be reminded:

If you cannot attend a scheduled doctor’s appointment, contact your physician’s office at least 24 hours in advance to cancel or reschedule the appointment.

No-shows and last-minute cancellations have a negative impact on any medical office. Your provider has blocked off a certain amount of time for you. If you fail to arrive, he or she loses precious time that could have been used to help another person who needs care. Depending on the type of visit, a physician may block out an hour or more to spend with a patient.

Here’s another important thing to remember:

Failing to cancel in a timely fashion can result in a no-show or late-cancellation fee. Such a charge is at the provider’s discretion, and CDPHP will not be responsible for payment.