What must a medical office do when an appointment is missed by a patient?

When a patient misses an appointment, it is essential for a medical office to contact the patient to confirm the missed appointment. This proactive communication helps in maintaining a supportive relationship between the healthcare provider and the patient. By reaching out, the office can understand the reason for the missed appointment, offer to reschedule, and remind the patient of the importance of follow-up care.

Additionally, contacting the patient can provide valuable insights into any barriers they may be facing, such as scheduling conflicts or transportation issues, which can be addressed to improve future attendance. This practice not only fosters a better patient experience but also helps the medical office manage their schedule more effectively by filling in gaps that may arise from missed appointments.

The other options do not reflect the best practice for patient management. Automatically charging a fee can lead to patient dissatisfaction and may not be appropriate in every circumstance, while removing a patient's record is a drastic measure that does not address the situation constructively. Simply recording the missed date without follow-up misses an opportunity for engagement and patient care continuity.