We have two Drs. One of the two doctors does the actually consult. They alternate days of the weeks that they work. The coordinator is basically a secretary that also answers general questions once the patient has decided he/she wishes to have the procedure done. For example, I answer the incoming HT calls, schedule consults, coordinate phone consults, help the patients locate a lab for preop blood tests, refer them to local hotels, etc.
The bit that was posted above was written by Dr. Brad Limmer, I just didn't attach his signature.
Sorry about the confusion, I see why it sounded wish-washy.
But I want to clarify that NO ONE besides the doctors do any consulting.

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Jessica
HT Coordinator
Limmer HTC

Dr. Brad Limmer is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians

There may be several reasons for charging for consultations.

1) Most reasonably - though in my opinion most unlikely - it may be a means of rationing. If something is free lots and lots of people will request it. A small fee would be sufficient to whittle down potential consultees to those most serious about it.

2) It may be a simple money spinner.

3) Most cynically it may be a means of inducing people to press ahead. This is the same logic that causes people throw good money after bad. Basically the more you have invested in something already, the more determined you are to get some kind of return on it. Someone who has paid $200 for a consultation may be less willing just to go with their gut feeling that its not right for them.

As a surgeon who has and has not charged consultation fees, let me give a few insights into both sides of the argument. When a surgeon does not charge a consultation fee, most will use some type of consultant to answer the bulk of the patient's questions. By not charging a fee, the idea is to bring more patients into the practice. Unfortunately my experience has shown that close to 50% of patients that schedule for a free consultation actually show up for the consultation and then only 70% of those patients schedule a procedure within a year. This means that only about 35% of those who initially call to schedule a consult actually go through with surgery. Not a very good number by any standard. Since I schedule a full hour for each consult, don't double book, and don't perform surgery during consultation time so that I can focus on a patient, this created large blocks of time wasted when people did not show.

On the contrary, when I charged $100 for a consult with me that generally lasted an hour, I found a 90% show rate and an 80% scheduling rate during the first year. This proved to be a much better use of time and allowed me to concentrate on taking care of the patients that I had. The fee is fully applicable to any procedure the patient may decide to undergo. I do not believe it to be excessive as a hair transplant can cost easily cost $3000-$20000. I do not think that an extra $300-$400 for 3-4 consultations is excessive should the patient consider that several visits are necessary.

In addition to show rates, consider the medicolegal ramifications of free consultations. To some degree a patient-physician relationship is formed, especially if I prescribe Proprecia for the patient. This necessitates future refills and imparts medically liability for the prescription. Would it be fair that I can be sued, have to maintain malpractice insurance, and maintain an office staff to provide refill requests for patients - all for an initial free visit?

Bottom line - I can honestly say that if 100% of the potential patients showed for their scheduled 'free consultation' or at least called in advance to cancel, I would continue to offer free consultations. Unfortunately, if there is nothing at stake, people take them for granted.

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D.J. Verret, MD
(promotional link removed - please read our terms of service)

Dr. Verret,

You are welcome to post here, but please restrain from posting links to promotional content like your website on our community. Our rules and regulations can be found in the terms of service you agreed to when you signed up.

Thus, your forum signature has been edited.

Thanks for your anticipated cooperation.

Bill

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Managing Publisher of the Hair Transplant Network, the Hair Loss Learning Center, the Hair Loss Q&A Blog and the Hair Loss Forum and Social Community

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To learn about how I restored my hair, view my my hair loss website.

Remember, true beauty radiates from within, not from the skin.

I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own.