Existing Wording
As such in most cases planned encounters are not really considered an appointment, but an intent that the location is being prepared for the encounter to occur. During this time the patient may or may not be present at the location.

Proposed Wording
As such an encounter in "planned" status is not identical to the appointment that scheduled it, but is the encounter prior to the its actual occurrence, with the expectation that encounter will be updated as it progresses to completion. Patient arrival at a location does not necessarily mean the start of the encounter (e.g., a patient arrives an hour earlier than he is actually seen by a practitioner).

Comments
Confusing as to why a planned encounter is not consider an appointment, because "an appointment is used for establishing a date for the encounter" "In most cases" also introduces ambiguity. The proposed wording tries to simplify by focusing only on the distinction between appointment and planned encounter.

Grahame's Comments
no opinion