Paying for Consults??

Is it common to pay for a consult with a Plastic Surgeon?  Monday I had a consult at Baylor Residency program and I paid $50.  I've been quoted $100 for a consult with a different Surgeon. 

I'm sure the Surgeon's do not want patients wasting their time and for that reason I don't mind paying for a consult.  But on that same note, I would like to get a few opinions and I don't care to pay $50-$100+ for every consult. 

I've been to two complimentary consults and the 3rd was to be 100.00 but he just cancelled on me. The next surgeon I may see if I hear good things about him also has complimentary consults. I'm not sure how I feel about being charged. I get it on one hand and on the other hand I feel like if they had a really successful practice they wouldn't need those pennies...know what I mean? My friend spent several hundred dollars on consults.

Good luck!

Denise

I went on SEVERAL consults before I picked my plastic surgeon. Everything single one I had to pay a fee for the consult. They ranged from around $40-50. I think its normal for them to charge a fee, but I have heard of other people having free consults. Best of luck!

I had three consults...I paid 50.00 for one. One had a consult fee, but they didn't tell me over the phone so they didn't charge me. The last,was one I did several yrs ago and had no fee.

I called around and got pricing before making an appt. I knew my budget and didn't feel like wasting my time or their time.

Baylor will give you prices over the phone.

Dr. Lomonaco won't. And a bunch of others out here wouldn't.

I went to a surgeon in lake charles and they gave fees over the phone.

I went to three different consults. Two charged, Good Luck

I went to one "open house" type event and it was free, but the other 2 I paid for. Since mine was partially deemed medically necessary - I was able to just pay my co-pay ($35), but they would have been $50 and $100.

So I'd say that paying for the consult is more common than not.

Sorry.

But it's a small price to pay to insure that I was picking the right surgeon - or weeding out the others...

It's common for PS to charge a consult fee.  I have seen PS's in Houston and Las Vegas due to relocation.  I think it's worth it if they're taking photos, getting you undressed and actually giving you a good idea where the scars will be on your body, how much skin they plan to remove, etc.  Many will apply the consult fee toward  "a procedure".    Ask when setting up the appointment if the funds will be applied to the cost of a procedure.  I usually will discuss a "sagging facial skin" issue as well and have found the office willing to apply it toward Botox or a filler if I say I'm not ready for the surgery. 

As a provider, consulting fees aren't about wasting a person's time. It's about helping sort  out the serious from the curious.  You're lucky being in Houston because there a some really, really good plastic surgeons's for post-bariatric plastic surgery procedures compared to Las Vegas.

How did your consult go at Baylor? I'm also in Houston and had to pay consult fees.

Laura

I've been to three plastic surgeons. Two charged a consult fee of $250. If I had the procedures with them, they would apply the consult fee toward the procedure. Both of these surgeons were in New York City. The third surgeon was in the suburbs and charged no fee. However, when I paid I got a lot more attention and explanation. The surgeons spent a good part of an hour with me, so it was worth it. I really felt educated and ready for the procedure.

Melinda, if I may ask, how was your consult, "medically necessary"? I am just starting to look into PS and know next to nothing-----I am going to need arms and TT for sure though.

Thanks,
Shelly