Free vs paid consultations

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#1 Post by **sharpie00** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:06 pm

Why do some orthos offer free consultations and some consultations you need to pay for?

#2 Post by **JayC** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:37 pm

most of the ones i know offer free consultations.. i wouldnt see why they WOULDNt offer free consult... they would get so much more volume.. i bet free consulttation have more patients since they get more exposure.. ppl who pay for consul probably pretty much have to make the decision of giong to that certain ortho.. unless the fee is creditted back to their treatment costs

#3 Post by **SDFD TSchott** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:43 pm

All the orthos I've seen have offered FREE consoltations!

However for x-rays, molds, and photos it cost me!

SDFD TSchott

#4 Post by **Granola** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:43 pm

It is an interesting question. Maybe Dr. Rick will see this and answer.

When I was in the consultation phase, I checked out four orthos. Two of the consultations were complimentary, and two charged a fee.

The orthodontists that I ended up choosing were one of the two who offered a complimentary consultation. I asked about that out of curiosity, and they told me that the majority of potential patients who they provide a consultation for end up coming to them sooner or later. They feel confident that the time they spend in consultation is time well spent.

I would guess it depends on many factors including how busy the orthodontist is, how they get new patients (i.e. dentist referrals or self-referrals), how confident they are that a consultation with them will net a patient, their perspective on how to assign a value to their time, etc.

#5 Post by **bbsadmin** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 10:56 pm

Wow, this is interesting. Here in the US, I believe that most orthos offer a free consultation. But apprently that is not the rule in other parts of the world!

Regarding why you pay for some: perhaps they belong to some sort of group or insurance plan that says they should charge a fee.

#6 Post by **lionfish** » Wed Dec 20, 2006 11:41 pm

I think orthos generally charge for consults in Australia - correct me if I'm wrong all you other Aussies out there.

#7 Post by **lisaemtp** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 12:43 am

My initial consult was free - he peeked in my mouth and gave me a general idea of what his treatment plan would be - he did stipulate that he would need records and xrays to tell for sure though. The records appointment (molds and xrays) and second consultation cost $175 (which did not go towards the cost of the braces).

#8 Post by **karebear46168** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 7:56 am

I only saw one ortho and he charged a fee of 150.00 for the consult, which is not part of the treatment fee, then there was a charge of 95.00 for the moulds, xrays, & pictures (also not part of the treatment fee). They told me that the 150.00 was for the ortho's time that he will spend writing to my dental & health insurance companies to try & get some sort of coverage for me (as I have non for ortho care) but since mine is very much related to my TMJ problems (and I do have bad crowding in the top) he has hope that they will cover some of it. I went with this ortho because he was highly recommended by my TMJ dentist, as he has special training for dealing with TMJ issues.

I did catch a break on the 150.00, they gave me the wrong appointment time & office (as they have several) and so I was at the wrong place at the wrong time (their fault) so they waived the 150.00!

I had been told for years (since a child) that I needed ortho care, but no money when I was a kid for mom to do it & then I became a single mom myself (so no money then either) now my son is an adult & I can finally start to take care of me.........

#9 Post by **Rickysa** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:25 am

I'll tell you why I don't charge a consultation fee...

When I was still in school and married (ie didn't have two pennys to rub together) our ice maker conked out on us. I removed it and took it to the repair shop to find out if it could be repaired or if we had to buy a new one. The fella behind the counter said, "sure, I can tell you in two minutes if it can be repaired....for $30...which can be applied to the cost of repair, if it can be repaired". So, if it couldn't be repaired, I'm out $30 (which we didn't have to spare) just for two minutes of his time.

I was a bit.....ummmm.....frustrated with that arrangement and decided then that I'd be happy to pass along whatever knowledge/recommendations I might have, for free.

If we need to take x-rays at the consultation to determine what the treatment might entail (ie impacted teeth, missing teeth, etc.) we don't charge for them either.

Dr. S

#10 Post by **karebear46168** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:47 am

Makes me wish I lived in Central North Carolina!

#11 Post by **karebear46168** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:22 am

This is true KK, thanks for reminding me.....it's not that I mind paying, anything worth having is going to cost.......

thanks!

#12 Post by **iBorg** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 9:38 am

My consult was free. It was a professional full exam. First they took pictures and then x-rays. While that was going on they consulted with my insurance. After all that ws done the ortho talked with me about half an hour about what my treatment options were. She started out asking me what were the outcomes I desired. I was nervous. I was scared. I also knew I needed to do something. To keep me from thinking about it and postponing it I asked "When can we start?" I expected an answer in about a month. Instead I was told I could get spacers then and have the braces put on the next Thursday.

Man was I surprized and still scared. Since then, I realize my fear was unfounded.

Mike

#13 Post by **ame_malia** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:42 pm

I had a free consult. I believe they even took an X-ray without charging..... Records and everything else were, of course, not free

#14 Post by **hippyhippo** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:51 pm

I went to some consultations that were free and some that required payment.

The way I see it is that there are two schools of thought. Some orthos will offer their time up for "free" because they believe it will generate more interest and therefore more patients. That "free" time is actually earning them money in the long run. Other orthos would rather not risk giving 10 free consults and only getting one patient as a result. So they charge for the time they are spending with the patient. Perhaps they get less people in for consults, but they aren't losing money on them either. I have no problem with either way.

I will say that the paid consults I had were much more thorough than the free ones. From my frist paid consult I walked away with a booklet that contained my digital photos, a detailed description of my treatment plan (including what exactly was wrong with my teeth and bite, explaining all appliances that may need to be used, what to expect, etc), pre-approval forms for my insurance company. I also had a full 30 minutes of talking with the ortho and another 30 minutes with an assistant.

My free consultations typically had me talking with the ortho for only 10 minutes (and an additioanl 20 minutes with the assistant who explained the basics) and I was just provided with a very general treatment plan and cost. To get a more in depth consultation I would have to spend the money on the records first.

I loved the treatment I got with my paid consultations, but I didn't like the treatment plans as much. So I ended up going with a ortho that had a free consult. Go figure

#15 Post by **platinum** » Thu Dec 21, 2006 4:58 pm

Hippyhippo: that's funny, as my consultation with "paid" orthodontists was just that he checked my teeth and told me the treatment possibilities.

The free one was more thorough. Fotos were taken and the doc checked my bite and explained me by using those fotos what's my problem.
I also got a written explanation about my problems and the estimated cost. Also he is against extractions, which is good.
It was very nice consultation. I went for this ortho.