Groupon for Botox by a Licensed PA, Asking for Trouble? Bad Idea?

I just recently was alerted for a Groupon for 20 units of Botox or 50 units of Dysport for $149.00. Considering the cost of Botox and Dr's fee, not to mention that Groupon receives 50% of each transaction, it makes me very suspicious about the validity of such an offer. How could they possibly make money from this? can Botox be diluted to the point that it is economically possible for this Medical Center to make this offer? It sounds too good to be true BUT I am not a Dr so I am asking. Thank U !

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10 Doctor Answers | Asked by markychv in Los Angeles, CA

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Groupon for Botox?

Hi Marky. The issue of Groupon and medical services is a sticky one. According to many state's healthcare laws, including California, an organization or individual cannot be paid for referring a patient to another medical practice. The laws were set up to avoid conflict of interest and kickbacks among physicians and healthcare organizations. With that said, there has been no official ruling on this from our state and many others regarding the legality of what... more

Harold J. Kaplan, MD

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Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.celibre.com

Groupon for Botox

My understanding is that Plastic Surgeons cannot use Groupon for Botox. There are legitimate rebates out there. Currently, there is a rebate that you get from the manufacturer of Botox. Allergan is the name of the company. They will have you sign up for the "Brillliant Distinctions" program. This program gives loyalty points and rebates. Beware of other coupons, and dirt cheap Botox. Seek out an established, experienced injector. more

Yes, have them lifted again

We plastic surgeons consider awarding cosmetic procedure through things such as Groupon as unethical, so a plastic surgeon will not do that. Because a PA is licensed doesn't mean they know what they are doing necessarily. Nurses and PA's can be trained to inject Botox, but it should be done under the guidance of an MD. Please check out the PA before you let them do anything. Going cheap can sometimes bite you.

Goupon Botox

I think Goupon and good medicine do not mix. I think offering Groupon Botox or anything else that requires time and expertise is foolish and unprofessional on the doctor's part. I would never go to a doctor who offered Groupon deals. It's fee splitting and sleazy.

Groupon and botox or cosmetic treatments

If you pay for a certain number of units, then you are due those units and despite how they dilute the Botox, it is not volume you are paying for, it is the units, so they would have to be given. The price quoted would not cover the administrative overhead costs of the practice sufficiently. They would be losing money. But as a marketing tool, it would help get you in the door, to learn of the practice and practioners and hopefully have you become a long-term patient returning for... more

Discount Botox and "grey market" services..... a fool and her looks are soon parted....

Just yesterday I saw two patients in my practice. One had had Botox injections from a non-physician in a non-medical setting and her upper lip had drooped for three months on one side. She had no idea who the "sponsoring physician" was. She elected to go back to the same practitioner after she learned that my fee for administering Botox was $75 more than the nurse's. Another patient, whom I saw the same day, had a filler injected by a... more

Groupon and Botox

Frankly, I think based on your post you seem to already know the answer to this question! If you read other posts on the this site you will also come to the realization that the purpose of Groupon (especially Botox offers) is to get you in the door and insist that you buy additional units, usually at an inflated rate, to compensate for the offer they made through Groupon. I agree with every physician who posted on this already, but remember that Botox is a neurotoxin and there can be issues... more

Groupon for Botox is just a come on!

While it seems there will be no profit from your treatment, they hope you will return in the future for regular, full-priced treatments when you fall in love with Botox (as so many have before you) and the effects wear off. Or better still, they hope that once you're in the office you will see many other cosmetic services they offer and sign up for additional treatments. An aggressive Botox rep can also get free Botox for the office to use for the promotion. Don't let price alone... more

Groupon for Botox by a Licensed PA, Asking for Trouble? Bad Idea?

Forget the whole idea of coupons for medical services and that a PA and not MD is providing the Botox Injections....for that cost, they are loosing money on the cost of a 100 unit bottle of Botox that's around $500 a bottle. IMHO, never use cost of a treatment or surgery as the determing factor of what you choose and who you have perform it....but rather be certain that they understand and follow the proper aesthetics of facial beauty for the creation of a naturally, more... more

To Groupon or not to Groupon.

To Groupon or not to Groupon is a very good question. Fee splitting is what this is called and against the California state law and as far as I know this is no different. You get what you pay for and only the doctor knows how he diluted the Botox!