Do Consultation Fees Have to Be Disclosed Upfront?

Your entitled to know the cost of a consultation upfront if your meeting for an out of pocket procedure. Ask if a fee exists and then decide if your willing to pay it. Physicians are entitled to set their own consultation fee schedule.

Good Luck

Most plastic surgeons advertise their consultation fees up front. Many in this area offer complimentary consultations. When you come for a consult, you will receive a quote with all of the fees explained. It is very important to know what the fees are prior to your surgery.

Some plastic surgeons charge for consultations, some offer free consultations and some apply the consultation fee to the eventual cosmetic procedure, should the patient decide to proceed.  Differences in policy are due to many factors, including whether the plastic surgeon is aggressively building business, the specific market where the practice is located and others.

On some websites you'll see the policy on consultation fees right up front, but this is not required.  Your best bet is to ask about the consultation fee and make sure it's clear when you schedule your appointment.   

Consider this example.  Rhinoplasty is a difficult and demanding operation -- the consultation and examination are very important in evaluating the patient.  And then a thorough explanation of what was found and what can be done is provided.  I spend an average of 30 - 45 minutes of personal time with a patient doing just that.  Sometimes surgeons who do a "free" consultation spend five minutes with the patient and then allow their staff to fill in the gaps.  In my view, there is nothing of value which is really free in this world.

Elliot Jacobs, M.D.

New York Plastic Surgeon

Any reputable practice will disclose their consultation fees when you call to book your appointment.  The fee for the consultation can be handled in a variety of ways among different surgeons.  Some offer complimentary consultations.  Others may charge a small fee for the consultation which is then applied as a credit to the cost of your procedure when you schedule your surgery.  Either way, it is best to have a clear explanation of the consult fee before you go in for the appointment.

Best operating principles would be a full disclosure if there is a cost involved in a consultation for a cosmetic surgical procedure.  There is a charge for reconstructive consultations.

Most reputable establishments will inform you of their fees.  However, sometimes you have to ask as it may not be posted.  Occasionally people will come in for a consult, then decide to undergo a treatment (such as a filler) and not ask the price.  In those circumstances I tell them roughly the cost so there is no unexpected fees.  I have heard of some practices that charge for an "exam" after taking the initial fee.  These practices tend to charge a VERY high fee for the exam and are shady at best.  I think their strategy is to corner patients into paying.  Once they pay, they feel that they have to follow through with surgery because they have committed the money.  Avoid those practices! Just ask and if you don't like the answer, move on. 

I and many other PS in our area offer complimentary consultations for cosmetic procedures. This information should be disclosed to the patient when the initial appointment is being made. Never be afraid to ask the office for fee amounts for consults or office procedures such as Botox, fillers, etc. 

To help ensure clear communication with patients and help build good will, it is important to disclose consultation fees prior to the consultation. We do not charge for consultations for cosmetic procedures.

Although I doubt there is a statute (just try to get a quote from a hospital for gall bladder surgery), it certainly prevents unease and questions like yours from arising. 

All the best. 

All consultation fees should be communicated up front.  We charge a one-time fee of $50 that covers all visits and is deducted from the cost of any scheduled procedure.  I consider the fee to be a tuition: we spend as much time in the office over as many visits as desired to ensure that our patinets receive a complete education.  This allows for truly informed decisions regarding care choices.