Some appointments take longer than others. A new patient visit might need 40 minutes, a quick follow-up 10. A full haircut is 45 minutes, a kids' trim is 20. Same calendar, different lengths. This guide shows how to set up several appointment types (also called services or booking types) so your AI receptionist books the right length every time.
What appointment types solve
Without appointment types, each calendar has one appointment length. A practice that sees new patients (40 minutes) and existing patients (10 minutes) would have to pick one.
With appointment types, you add several lengths to the same calendar. When someone calls, the receptionist matches what they say to the right type and books a slot of that length.
How it works
You add one or more appointment types to a calendar. Each has a name and a length.
When a caller describes what they want ("I'm a new patient" or "just a trim"), the receptionist matches it to the right type.
It books a slot of that length on your Google, Outlook, or Apple calendar.
If the request is unclear, the receptionist asks a short question before booking. It doesn't guess.
You don't need to teach the receptionist anything extra. Clear names are enough. Use everyday words your callers would say.
Set up multiple appointment types
1. Open your receptionist's booking settings
Log in at app.skipcalls.com.
Open your receptionist from Receptionists in the left menu.
Go to the Booking tab.
Make sure the switch next to your calendar is on.
You'll see the calendar with its current length, for example "30 min appointments".
No calendar yet? Connect one first. See Calendar Integration: Booking Appointments Through Your AI Receptionist.
2. Add an appointment type
Click Add appointment type next to the calendar.
Don't see the button? It is only available for Google, Outlook, and Apple calendars. See Limitations below.
Fill in two fields:
Name this appointment type: what a caller would say. Examples:
New patient visit,Follow-up,Haircut,Initial consultation,Kids' trim.How long does this appointment take?: the length in minutes. Minimum 5.
Click Create appointment type. The receptionist uses it on the very next call.
The new type copies the calendar's other settings, like work days, hours, and break time. You can change them afterwards.
3. Repeat for each type
If you offer three kinds of appointments, add three types. They all share the same calendar, so bookings never overlap, but each one blocks its own length of time.
Also give your original calendar a clear name: click Edit on it and change the first line of Name & booking rules, for example to "Follow-up". The first line is the name callers are matched to.
Real-world examples
Psychiatrist or doctor's office
New patient visit: 40 min
Follow-up: 10 min
Medication check: 15 min
When a caller says "I'm a new patient", the receptionist books 40 minutes. When they say "I just need a med refill", it books 15.
Barber shop or hair salon
Full haircut: 45 min
Beard trim: 15 min
Kids' cut: 20 min
Color and cut: 120 min
Family lawyer or consultant
Initial consultation: 60 min
Document review: 30 min
Quick question call: 15 min
Home-services contractor
On-site estimate: 30 min
Repair visit: 90 min
Install: 240 min
Tips for naming appointment types
The name decides how well the receptionist picks the right type.
Use caller language. "New patient visit" works. "Type A" or "Level 1" doesn't.
Keep names distinct. "Consultation" and "Initial consultation" sound alike, so the receptionist may have to ask. "First-time consultation" and "Follow-up consultation" are clearer.
Avoid abbreviations. "NPV" means nothing to a caller. Spell it out.
Match how callers talk. If people ask for "a trim", name the type "Trim".
Editing and removing
Edit a type: click Edit next to it. You can change the name, length, break time, work days, hours, and time zone for that type.
Remove a type: click the trash icon next to it. The calendar stays connected. Only that type goes away.
Turn off the whole calendar: turn off the switch next to the calendar. This removes the calendar and all of its appointment types from this receptionist.
When a caller's request is unclear
If a caller just says "I'd like an appointment", the receptionist asks a short question:
"Sure. Is this a new patient visit or a follow-up?"
Booking the wrong length costs more than one extra question.
Limitations
Appointment types work on Google Calendar, Outlook Calendar, and Apple Calendar.
For Calendly, Cal.com, Square, GoHighLevel, and TidyCal, lengths are set inside those tools. You'll see Managed by and the tool's name next to the calendar. Create separate services or event types there, then sync them on the Booking systems tab of the Appointments page.
You can have up to 10 appointment types per calendar.
Troubleshooting
The receptionist keeps picking the wrong type
Check the names. Rename each type to match what a caller would actually say. See the naming tips above.
Two bookings landed at the same time
All appointment types share the same calendar, so they respect each other's bookings. Check that Allow Double Booking is off for each type. If you still see overlaps, contact support.
I added a type but the receptionist doesn't seem to know about it
Changes apply from the next call. A call already in progress keeps the old setup.
Can I use the same appointment types on several receptionists?
Yes, but each receptionist has its own list, even when they share a calendar. Add the types on each receptionist separately.
Can each type have different work hours?
Yes. Click Edit on the type and change its hours. For example, offer follow-ups all day but new patient visits only in the morning.
Still stuck?
Reach out at [email protected]. Tell us what you're trying to set up and we'll help.