When did answering the phone become an optional service at doctors’ offices? Call for weeks, leave messages, and if someone actually calls back, go buy a lottery ticket because you're certain to win. And before the Spout Off outrage committee comes for me, I have nothing but respect for office staff. I know they're busy. I'm simply wondering when getting someone to answer a phone became more difficult than getting the appointment itself. Is this the new standard in healthcare, or are we just supposed to show up and hope for the best?