Scheduling Appointments > Understanding the Patient Appointments Window
To schedule an appointment for an existing patient:
Select an option:
If you are scheduling a patient with tickler entries, a message asks whether to display the entries before displaying the Appointment Card window. You can schedule the appointment using the tickler entry information.
The Appointment Card window is displayed.
Select the first appointment procedure from the Code drop-down list. Press Tab to view the description, fee, and time units associated with the procedure. The Assistant window is displayed if a bluebook entry is associated with the procedure in the insurance plan that covers the patient.
If color scheduling is enabled, the Description field is highlighted in the color assigned to this type of procedure.
If necessary, type the tooth number and surface/quadrant information in the appropriate fields.
Select any other procedure codes to schedule for the appointment. The total appointment fees and any applicable sales tax are displayed in the Payment Summary section.
If the patient does not have any previously scheduled appointments:
If the patient does not have insurance coverage:
If a patient has two or more appointments (on different days), the insurance amount is estimated for the first appointment only. After a transaction is posted for the first appointment, the estimated insurance payment for the second appointment is displayed. If a patient has two appointments scheduled for the same day, the insurance coverage is estimated for both appointments.
Type the number of time slots required for the procedures in the Slots field. The default value for this field is the number of time units specified on the Scheduler/Fees tab in the ADA/Transaction Codes window. The maximum number of time units available is displayed to the right of the field. You cannot schedule the patient for more than the available number of time units.
Type the letter associated with the provider types required to perform the procedures in the Assignment field. The following letters are associated with each provider types:
If a scheduler template is associated with the procedure, the field can be automatically populated.
Select the doctor, assistant, and hygienist in the Doctor, Assistant, and Hygienist drop-down lists. The default values for the Doctor and Hygienist drop-down lists are the providers entered in the patient record. If an assistant is associated with the selected doctor in the provider record, that assistant is the default value for the Assistant drop-down list.
You are not required to select values for the Assignment field or the Provider drop-down list, but a scheduling conflict check is not performed if you fail to enter information in these fields.
The operatory information is displayed for reference only and cannot be changed in this window.
If the patient is willing to reschedule the appointment to fill a cancelation, select Short Call.
To associate the appointment with a lab case, select a case from the Lab Case drop-down list.
Type any appointment notes in the Appt Notes field. When notes are associated with an appointment, a small red marker is displayed in the upper-right corner of the appointment.
To update or edit medical alert information, select the Medical Alert drop-down list, and make changes in the Medical History window. See Adding Medical Histories and Updating Medical Histories.
When the appointment is confirmed, the information is displayed in the Confirmation Notes, Confirmed On, and Confirmed By fields. Confirmation notes cannot be entered in the Appointment Card window, and are for reference only.
Click OK.