Need Advice - How do you charge for treating Colleagues or Not charge at all

[Guest guest]

Al-

 

I think you make insightful points. I think the most importance thing

is to clearly establish the arrangement, so there are no

misunderstanding or expectations later.

 

Whether it's Pro Bono, or simply a discounted / reasonable rate as a

Prof. Courtesy. It should be clear before any treatment is rendered.

 

It seems the problems may arise if things are not clear before, and

sometimes different folks may have different expectations. Many

misunserstandings may be mimimized thru clear communication before--ie

if it's a free tx or a reduced rate....if so, what is the rate...etc.

 

When I see any Health Care Provider, I insist on paying. I wouldn't

feel comfortable getting any free treatment. Time is time.

 

My father in the olden days said he never charged other Physicians, or

any member of their family. Physicians would send many members of

their family, and he would treat them all without hesitation, for free.

 

But again, it's all the context of the relationship. I never charge my

Wife or my Mother...it wouldn't be fun sleeping in the dog house.

Especially with the winds we've had lately...Wind is the mother of all

pathogens...

 

Chinese Traditional Medicine , " Al Stone " <al wrote:

>

> I've charged practitioners full price and other practitioners have

gotten

> services from me for free. In my opinion this is 100% social

context. There

> is no correct answer.

>

> I had one practitioner come to me and insist on paying full price. They

> believed (and rightly so) that if you pay a discount, you get a

discounted

> service. There is some truth to this no matter how much we like to think

> otherwise. Full price gets you a practitioner who's incentive is better

> aligned to that of the patient. Incentive matters.

>

> -al.

>

> On Sun, Nov 16, 2008 at 4:49 PM, Mercurius Trismegistus <

> magisterium_magnum wrote:

>

> > I'm just a student, but my understanding is it's professional

courtesy.

> >

> > -

> > " d.siena " <sienasmiles <sienasmiles%40sbcglobal.net>>

> > <Chinese Traditional Medicine

<Chinese Traditional Medicine%40>>

> > Sunday, November 16, 2008 9:39 AM

> > [Chinese Traditional Medicine] Need Advice - How do you charge for treating

> > Colleagues or Not charge at all...

> >

> > > Wanted to pose a question out there to all practitioners.

> > >

> > > If you are asked to treat a COLLEAGUE (Another Doctor), or one of

> > > their family members..

> > >

> > > a) Since Doctors often give a courtesy to other Doctors and their

> > > family, do you waive your fee totally ? Or do you charged a reduced

> > > amount ?

> >

>

>

> --

> , DAOM

> Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

My massage teacher, later my therapist, said that even in the family all

treatments were paid for. Thus, if his daughter gave him a massage, he paid

her, and so on. I guess that way, besides what you say about getting the full

treatment, there was an acknowledgement of the value of the treatment, and of

the time and energy of the one giving the massage. Also, there would never be

any treatments " owing " to the other person. But that was their rule.

 

Rowena

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

I work in Sweden. So I do not know how you usually see on this.

 

Anyway, my personal opinions about it would be.

 

- Family members. closest family, I treat for free. This is a give and

recieve situation I think. In the long run you get back in other ways

what you give. If not, no more free treatments I guess. The limit is

of course when you fell that you are being used. Also depends on the

problem. Maybe it can be better to send them to someone else to get an

other opinion.

- Other professionals, If they are friends, you can change treatments.

Make a deal to take care of each other now and then to replenish.

charge if that is the deal, but there should be an agreement of how

before any treatment.

If they are not friends, I see no point not charge them fully. To go

to a colleague that is not a friend just to get some free or

discounted treatment is not a nice thing I think.

 

You also tell that you always pay because time is time. So why should

your own time not count?

 

/Peter

[Guest guest]

This needs to be an agreement made between both parties. Approaching

it in a professional manner should mean that there is no awkwardness

felt. You may suggest a trade, but be clear on the terms.

 

Is it one for one?

Will you treat them whenever they want you to, and do you expect them

to do the same?

Is it a one time thing or will it be continuing?

 

 

I prefer to pay and be paid. That way feelings of responsibility

toward the other party are the same as they are toward a patient and

your cash register is even at the end of the day.