Re: TREATMENT SESSIONS

[Guest guest]

I agree with the previous posts - we charge a flat fee for treatments. Conditioning only is also charged a flat fee as well as initial evaluations. We do have various charges based on the complexity of the case. I learned from human physical therapy - do not charge per modality. I agree, we are the practitioners, and should be deciding the treatment. Charging per modality may affect the treatment based on the owners.

And every dog/cat that comes through is given a home exercise program. Our goal is always owner ownership - literally. They need to be doing a home program to become invested in their animals' care.

We may have dogs heading down south - not as far North as Jeanne - but we are up in New England!.

Debbie Gross Saunders, DPT, MSPT, OCS, CCRPWizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, LLCwww.wizardofpaws.netNitrodog for Peak Performance

[Guest guest]

We decided on flat rate so that clients weren't deciding what their pet should have (treatment wise) based on price. We are the professionals and are the ones who determine what is appropriate for that patient each visit and with a flat rate we can choose to do ultrasound that day or Laser without having to go back and ask the client if an increase in price is ok for that day. Sometimes a patient who is scheduled for UWTM that day comes in with a hot spot or open wound or diarrhea and can't go in UWTM with flat rate we can switch them to acupuncture without any issues with cost. Also every owner should be given a home program just as we have always done in the human world that makes the difference (if the owners are compliant) between success and failure of a rehab program.Amy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRTCalifornia Animal Rehabilitationwww.CalAnimalRehab.comAmy Kramer, PT, DPT, CCRTCalifornia Animal Rehabilitationwww.CalAnimalRehab.comSender: VetRehab Date: Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:47:41 -0000To: <VetRehab >ReplyTo: VetRehab Subject: TREATMENT SESSIONS THE SNOWBIRDS ARE BACK IN TUCSON-AND AS WE ARE STARTING TO SEE CLIEBTS THAT HAVE HAD REHAB IN OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTRY,WE ARE NOTICING TREATMENT SESSION DIFFERENCES. WE SEE SOME THAT HAVE BEEN CHARGED A FLAT RATE FOR REHAB WHICH INCLUDES ALL HANDS ON,LASER,ULTRASOUND,UWTM,E-STIM THAT IS DONE IN THAT VISIT. AND SOME,WHICH IS MORE HOW WE DO IT,HAVE BEEN PAYING FOR HANDS ON EXERCISES/ESTIM AS ONE FEE AND THAT LASER,ULTRASOUND,TREADMILL ARE ADDITIONAL. ALTHOUGH IN MOST CASES-THE PRICE ENDS UP BEING ABOUT THE SAME REGARDLESS OF HOW IT IS DONE,THE FACT THAT SOME THINGS ARE CHARGED SEPERATELY SEEMS TO BOTHER THE " FLAT-RATE " PEOPLE. SO- I AM CURIOUS ABOUT HOW THE MASSES ARE DOING IT SINCE THERE ISN'T REALLY A " STANDARD PROTOCOL " ALSO-I SEND EVERYONE WITH HOME EXERCISES BUT SEE TAHT ABOUT 50-60% OF OUR SNOWBIRDS HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN HOME EXERCISES TO DO-CURIOUS WHY???

[Guest guest]

I tend to charge flat rate with a first time fee being quite a bit higher. I think that the clients can then be able to budget for their visits that way. I would like to figure out a punch card system but that hasn't been thought through well enough yet. I also usually accumulate several visits before writing up the bill although most clients would gladly pay after each visit. I also attempt to estimate about how many visits or weeks it'll take to get back to "normal" and that is usually possible after a couple of visits. I have noticed that clients sort of feel bummed when they are told that their four-legged buddy has graduated from rehab and doesn't need to return. They also seem to realize that doing the homework really makes a diffrerence, especially if money is an issue for lots of rehab visits.

My practice is small (in volume and physical size), so all the clients are interacting with each other. One patient will be the treadmill, another resting in the hyperbaric, another getting electrical acupuncture and maybe someone else getting cold laser, or waiting their turn for the next step. The clients chat, become friends, ask about other dogs if they dont' see them there that day, bounce questions and offer suggestions to each other in a way that we are unable to do (their hints on how to express a bladder, for example), and have even exchanged or given their unneeded harnesses, carts etc to someone who just recently arrived on my doorstep. It's been good for the clients because you can appreciate their frustration at home being the caregiver.

I am thinking of having an annual reunion each summer for all the patients. Has anyone else done this? Any details to share?

Well, Sherri, i believe that i might be the northernmost rehab clinic in the US but i am also not aware of any snowbirds heading down your way. But, just in case, the information here should help.

keep warm and enjoy the sun

Jeanne Olson

North Pole, ALaska

[Guest guest]

I work in a multi-doctor specialty practice and my administrator did not allow me to charge a flat-rate.There is good reason for this, because from an economic point of view, it is not possible to track production trends for each type of equipment used if you are not charging for them separately.  

In order to analyze cost-benefit ratios for how much a service actually produces in revenue vs how much it costs to operate it (or purchase it) you need to charge separately.I see the benefit and convenience for both practitioner and client to charge a flat-rate, but from a business stand-point this can be problematic.

Best,-- Leilani Alvarez, DVM, CVA, CCRTDirector Integrative MedicineKatonah Bedford Veterinary CenterBedford Hills, NYwww.kbvetcenter.com

 

I agree with the previous posts - we charge a flat fee for treatments.  Conditioning only is also charged a flat fee as well as initial evaluations.  We do have various charges based on the complexity of the case.  I learned from human physical therapy - do not charge per modality.  I agree, we are the practitioners, and should be deciding the treatment.  Charging per modality may affect the treatment based on the owners.

And every dog/cat that comes through is given a home exercise program.  Our goal is always owner ownership - literally.  They need to be doing a home program to become invested in their animals' care.

We may have dogs heading down south - not as far North as Jeanne - but we are up in New England!.

 

 

Debbie Gross Saunders, DPT, MSPT, OCS, CCRPWizard of Paws Physical Rehabilitation for Animals, LLCwww.wizardofpaws.netNitrodog for Peak Performance