diff --git a/app/models/patient.rb b/app/models/patient.rb
index 782d325a5..62e8db887 100644
--- a/app/models/patient.rb
+++ b/app/models/patient.rb
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ def as_json
   private
 
   def confirm_appointment_after_initial_call
-    if appointment_date.present? && initial_call_date&.send(:>, appointment_date)
+    if appointment_date.present? && initial_call_date.present? && (initial_call_date - 60.days)&.send(:>, appointment_date)
       errors.add(:appointment_date, 'must be after date of initial call')
     end
   end
diff --git a/test/models/patient_test.rb b/test/models/patient_test.rb
index 663f5daae..d555f338f 100644
--- a/test/models/patient_test.rb
+++ b/test/models/patient_test.rb
@@ -79,19 +79,19 @@ class PatientTest < ActiveSupport::TestCase
       end
     end
 
-    it 'should require appointment_date to be after initial_call_date' do
+    it 'should require appointment_date to be reasonably after initial_call_date' do
       # when initial call date is nil
       @patient.appointment_date = '2016-05-01'
       @patient.initial_call_date = nil
       refute @patient.valid?
       # when initial call date is after appointment date
-      @patient.initial_call_date = '2016-06-01'
+      @patient.initial_call_date = '2016-09-01'
       refute @patient.valid?
       # when appointment date is nil
       @patient.appointment_date = nil
       assert @patient.valid?
       # when appointment date is after initial call date
-      @patient.appointment_date = '2016-07-01'
+      @patient.appointment_date = '2016-08-01'
       assert @patient.valid?
     end