Featured Experts
Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City
Dr. Johnny Franco, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, Texas
For the majority of those considering plastic surgery, cost is an undeniably important factor. But it’s not just the cost of the treatment itself that’s important to take into consideration. Consultation fees are an industry norm, oftentimes considered an entrance fee of sorts. “Patients are coming in for a medical opinion about a medical procedure. The consultation fee is, essentially, payment for the doctor’s time and expertise,” says New York City board-certified dermatologist Dr. Paul Jarrod Frank.
But exactly how much should you expect to pay? And what happens if you decide to not move forward with the surgery (or provider) you were considering? Here, answers to these questions, plus more insider info about consultation fees—from top doctors themselves.
Expect to always pay a consultation fee
There’s really no way around it: “Consultation fees are standard across the board, for any type of established doctor or practice,” Dr. Frank points out. Some med spas and doctors who are just starting their careers may not charge them—though, according to Dr. Frank, that’s actually a bit of a red flag. “A consult fee protects the time you have with your provider,” says Dr. Johnny Franco, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Austin, Texas. It’s reserved, dedicated time, and paying a consultation fee ensures that both of you have a stake in the game, he adds.
Exactly how much that consultation fee will cost can vary greatly, depending on where you live and the particular doctor you’re seeing. That being said, Dr. Franco says anywhere from $100 to $250 is a good average range. And, FYI, many practices will ask that you pay said fee when you book the appointment, Dr. Frank notes.
Consultation fees are typically applied as a credit toward treatment
Both doctors we spoke with say that more often than not, the consultation fee is applied toward the cost of the procedure or surgery. But what if you decide not to move forward with the doctor or treatment? The majority of doctors and practices will let you put the consult fee toward another type of service offered in their office. Dr. Franco notes that this often happens when patients aren’t deemed good candidates for whatever they were considering. “People come in for a facelift consult when they just need filler and some skin tightening, and so we apply the consult fee to those services,” he explains. It’s also worth asking if there’s a time span during which you need to complete the treatment post-consult. For example, in Dr. Frank’s office, there’s a six-month window.
Can’t pay? Ask about other options before you meet with the doctor
There are very few instances in which a consultation fee will be waived. “I’ll waive a consultation fee if it turns out a patient needs to have a surgery that I can’t perform and I have to refer them to an associate or someone else,” says Dr. Franco of one of the rare instances. He also adds that in his practice, consultation fees are waived for existing patients coming in for additional surgeries or procedures.
That being said, there are some other options to consider. Dr. Franco says that his practice offers a free, 15-minute preconsult call with a patient coordinator. While this isn’t the forum for any type of medical specifics, it can be a good first step for people to gather some basic information about surgeries and procedures, such as cost, associated downtime, and other rudimentary details. It also gives patients a bit more preliminary knowledge so that if they do move forward with the actual consultation, they can use that time to ask more specific questions, he notes.
Dr. Frank says that asking if there’s any type of tiered pricing system available is another option. Typically, the most seasoned doctors will be the most expensive, whereas associates or nurses charge less, he notes. (That being said, this only works if you’re considering a nonsurgical treatment. For plastic surgery, you’ll want to meet with the person actually performing the operation.)
In general, it’s also worth reserving the actual consultation as one of the final steps in the process of researching a doctor and/or procedure, says Dr. Franco. “Even if money isn’t an issue, going to too many consultations and meeting with too many doctors can leave you with so many opinions that you get lost in the weeds and end up with analysis paralysis,” he explains. Researching various treatment options online as well as reading doctors’ reviews, looking at before-and-afters, and talking to friends and family who may have undergone similar treatments can all be very helpful preliminary steps to take before you narrow your choices down to a provider or two you want to meet with (and pay to do so).
Go prepared to get the most bang for your buck
Consultations are usually about 30 minutes, says Dr. Franco. You shouldn’t feel rushed, it’s also helpful to come prepared. Priority topics to address include downtime and aftercare required, anesthesia options, and how complications are handled, he advises. But along with specific questions, it’s also important to use the consultation as a time to get a general feel for your doctor and their demeanor and personality. “You’re about to spend a lot of money to have something done on your face and/or body, and you want to have a good sense of the person who will be doing that,” notes Dr. Frank. Dr. Franco agrees: “You want to make sure that, if any problems do arise, this is the type of person you feel comfortable with and who will work through things with you.”