This article provides information on states with multiple time zones, how scheduling works for each state, and how to ensure you arrive on time for appointments with providers located in another time zone within the same state. It will also walk you through your appointment email confirmation and best practices for confirming your appointment time.
Time zone awareness
We are rapidly expanding our services to reach patients in all 50 states! Some states are located in multiple time zones. Generally, a small percentage of people in these areas live outside of the main time zone. If you are located in one of the below states with two time zones, you may be matched with a provider who is located in a different time zone than you are.
| State |
Time Zone 1 (majority/default) |
Time Zone 2 |
| Alaska | AKT | HT |
| Florida | ET | CT |
| Idaho | PT | MT |
| Indiana | ET | CT |
| Kansas | CT | MT |
| Kentucky | ET | CT |
| Michigan | ET | CT |
| Nebraska | CT | MT |
| North Dakota | CT | MT |
| Oregon | PT | MT |
| South Dakota | CT | MT |
| Tennessee | CT | ET |
| Texas | CT | MT |
Appointment email confirmations
Appointment reminders will show in the default/majority timezone of the state, with the timezone shown next to it. There's a chance that your provider operates in a different time zone, or that you yourself live in the non-majority time zone for that state. You should always check the time zone in the confirmation email and subsequent reminders you are sent. If you notice the time zone is different from your location, make a note on your calendar so that you join on time.
Confirming appointment times
Rula's patient portal currently defaults to the time zone associated with your computer. You should look here for accurate appointment times.
You can confirm your time zone by looking at your appointment in Rula's patient portal.
- When you visit the Rula patient portal, you'll land on the Appointments page
- Here, you'll be able to see the date, time, and time zone of your upcoming appointments.
The displayed time may not always align with the local time in which your provider is located. To ensure everyone arrives on time, we kindly request patients in states with multiple time zones to confirm their provider's time zone during their initial appointment. Your provider has been informed that they should initiate this conversation. This will ensure you are both on the same page regarding appointment scheduling moving forward.
Example Scenario: A patient and therapist are located in two different time zones in Tennessee
Provider: "Okay, before our initial session ends, I want to confirm the time for our upcoming weekly appointments. I'm in Nashville. Our next appointment is scheduled for 11:00 AM my time, Central Time, are you on Central Time?"
Patient: "No, I'm in Knoxville, Tennessee so I'm on Eastern Time."
Provider: "Okay, that's an hour ahead of me, right?"
Patient: "Yes. So it shows up at 10:00 AM Eastern Time for me."
Provider: "Does the existing schedule time work for you? Or would you like to adjust it?"
Patient: "Yes! It works for me. I work the night shift"
Provider: "Great! I'll see you next week at 10:00 AM your time, Central Time, and 11:00 am my time, Eastern Time."
No-show policy reminder
If you do not show up to your appointment or cancel within less than 24 hours of its start time, you'll be charged a no-show fee.
If you believe your provider has missed your scheduled appointment due to a time zone issue, please reach out to Support at support@rula.com
Additional Resources
- Managing your appointments- Detailed instructions on how you can view, reschedule, and cancel your appointments
- Cancellation and “no show” policy - Information regarding no-show policy