‘No shows’ spike prompts missed appointment notification to commanders Published Dec. 1, 2010 By 1st Lt Renee Swift 4th Medical Support Squadron SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- A recent spike in medical appointment no-shows has prompted a change in the way missed appointments are handled by the 4th Medical Group. In an effort to reduce missed appointments, Airmen who no-show will now be reported to their group commander, squadron commander, and first sergeant. The average cost of an appointment at the Seymour Johnson medical clinic is $277. This cost includes personnel salaries; ancillary service costs such as the lab, radiology and pharmacy; and facility costs, equipment, supplies and other support services tracked by the Medical Expense and Performance Reporting System. MEPRS is the cost accounting system used by Department of Defense military treatment facilities to track the cost of healthcare and corresponding personnel and workload data. In May 2010, the no-show rate at the clinic soared to 8.2 percent; the Air Force Medical Service standard is 5 percent. Since January 2010, there have been 2,116 no-shows at a cost of $586,132. In addition to the monetary cost, no-shows affect access to medical care and 4th Medical Group's productivity. Every no-show is an appointment that another patient could have potentially used. When appointment supply is low and the demand is as high as it has been for much of 2010, it is vital that each appointment be utilized to meet the needs of our beneficiaries. Often, when there are no appointments available, a beneficiary with an urgent medical issue is forced to seek care downtown, causing more time away from one's unit and impacting patient-provider continuity. In order to be effective in providing beneficiaries with the best medical care and access to services, the 4th MDG asks that patients simply cancel their appointments at least 24 hours in advance allowing for adequate time to re-book the appointment. To cancel an appointment, call the appointment desk at 722-1802 at least 24 hours before hand.