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Is it Wrong to Try and Negotiate a Slightly Lower Price for Surgery?

i've been to my cosmetic doctor 3 times. i've referred 4 people to him for major body makeovers. I want to go back to him for a tummy tuck but his cost is a little high. i don't want to go anywhere else. Is it still wrong for me to ask him for a better price? To make it a little more affordable for me?

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16 Doctor Answers | Asked by taralynn in Placerville, CA

Doctor Answers (16)
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Should Returning Patient Ask For A Lower Fee

I agree that it's okay to ask for a reduction in fee when you've been a happy patient and have referred others. At my practice, we have a referral program which rewards patients for referring friends and family that also have surgery with us. My patients are encouraged to discuss fees, payment plans, etc. with their Patient Coordinator. We listen carefully to our patients. My Business Manager handles many routine requests, and will relay any special circumstances... more

Is it Wrong to Try and Negotiate a Slightly Lower Price for Surgery?Answer:

Never hurts to ask! I know in my practice we have a reward program for referring patients (that actually schedule!!!). But I would run it by the office manager, rather than the doctor..then if you don't get the answer you want...move to the doctor!!!!!!!!!

Negotiating a reduction in cosmetic surgical fee

Your question is an excellent one and a quite reasonable one. Given that you have had previous surgical procedures with him and have referred several patients, your request is quite reasonable. It would be both the right thing to do as well as good business sense for him to offer you a significant break on your desired surgical procedure. This would be a win-win for the both of you.

Negotiate Prices for Plastic Surgery?

I think you will find the most plastic surgeons will not be offended ( and are probably used to it anyway) by patients requesting lower costs of surgery. You may very well be pleasantly surprised since you are an excellent referral source for the practice. Best wishes. see video

The art of negotiation.

Many patients ask for a discount and say that they will refer patients to you if you give them a discount. If you can show that you truly are the reason for these four patients came to the doctor he or she would probable consider a discount of some amount.

Would not hurt to ask

I do not think it would rude to ask and you may be pleased with the answer. You sound like you are an excellent referral source.

Negotiating with your plastic surgeon

As a consumer, I tend to take prices at their face. My wife is exactly the opposite and won't hesitate to ask for a reduction. So, my comment is that I don't think it's unreasonable to inquire whether the plastic surgeon can do a little better. If a patient offers me 50 cents on the dollar, that's another story. It feels insulting and I don't think it's unreasonable for us, as physicians with many, many years of training, to expect to be paid... more

Negotiate Price

This going to depend solely on the surgeon you are seeing. You may think he or she should give you a better deal since you have had a number of procedures and referred a number of patients but ultimately it is up to him. I do not think it is unreasonable to ask and to remind him that you referred several patients and see what the answer is. It is like wise not unreasonable to get a second opinion. Good luck and thank you for your question.

Ralph R. Garramone, MD

7 reviews

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon

Price is negotiable

As with most things in life, some surgeons are willing to negotiate their price of surgery. This is especially true when the person asking is a loyal patient and a good referal source. Surgeons have a strict ethical code that we must follow, but there is some latitude available to reward loyalty. It never hurts to ask.

Is it Wrong to Try and Negotiate a Slightly Lower Price for Surgery?

I agree it does not hurt to ask. If you are truly a great referral source than I would be happy to offer a slight discount on the fee. But understand there are costs to having any surgery and you might be surprise how they add up.

Never hurts to try

You can always ask for a discount and in this tough economy we try to do what we can. This is a very competitive field and we are all working to get your business.

Better price for loyal patients

Thank you for your question. I agree with the comments below. When patients return for multiple procedures over time, yes, some plastic surgeons will extend better pricing through some type of loyal client program. There are many factors to consider. The plastic surgeon may be able to give you a break on the surgeon's fee portion of the tummy tuck. However, some of the costs such as the anesthesia fee and the facility fee may be fixed and beyond the control of the surgeon... more

No harm in asking for a price reduction.

I can only speak for my practice. We highly value loyal clients and very much appreciate their referrals to our office. We have a loyal client program in place that gives value to patients who help us to by telling others. However, from an ethical and professional standpoint we also have policies in place that are predictable and consistent. You should also know that all Plastic Surgeons who maintain their Society memberships need to follow a strict Code of Ethics that prohibits offering... more

Pricing

WE have some very loyal following of patients who refer many others to our practice. We most definitely offer them a pricing consideration which is handled through the patient coordinator at all times. But the pricing structure really has to be realistic , taking into account all aspects to running a business (I agree with comment below)

Negotiating prices on Tummy tuck

I agree that there is nothing wrong with trying to negotiate the cost of an operation. You should approach your patient coordinator or office manager first and mention all of the referrals. From what it seems, you appear to really trust your PS and are happy with his services. This is ultimately what you are paying for and I would discourage you from going elsewhere merely because of price.

Negotiating Cosmetic Fees

There is nothing wrong in broaching the subject of pricing with your doctor's office. I would suggest going thru the patient coordinator or practice manager first, rather than the physician. Explain to them that you are a satisfied patient of their practice, have referred patients to them etc. Often times, offices will take this into consideration when quoting patients. Remember however, it is a business and there is much more to running a business than just the surgeon's fee. more