Community Update

We have been going to Branford Pediatrics since 1997, when my first son was born. They have always been nice, accomodating, and good place to take our children (all 5 of them).
We just received bill from Branford Pediatrics, that included a $50 charge for a No Show Fee. Although this "fee" is posted at their office, and they remind you when the call for the appointment confirmation, I believe it is a ridiculous and unwarranted charge; this charge is more than most deductibles and more than a bank charges when you overdraw your account.
I understand their need to cut back on the no shows, and that the appointment missed could have been used by someone else, but when was the last time you went and saw a doctor who was actually on time; most of the time we are waiting 10-15 mins past our appointment time to see the doctors; should we be charging them for our time sitting in their waiting room? If an appointment is missed, the doctor now has time to catch up on the back log of patients, and maybe, just maybe, they will be able to be on-time.
I am disappointed and disgusted with Branford Pediatrics new policy and will be looking to taking my children some where else; to another pediatrician that does not charge extoration fees for missing a single appointment.