Coolsculpting Costs...Who Sets the Price?

Question

Had Coolsculpting done and blown away by the price my Dr was charging! If this is being touted as an alternative to lipo then why is the cost almost the same? Two large areas @ $1500 and four @ $750 = $6000 is insane. If I understand correctly this machine only freezes the fat so I cannot understand the justification in the costs. The nurse came in the room, attached the suction and walked out the door for an hour, what am I paying $6000 for? At least with lipo the Dr is actually doing work!

Ron Shelton, MD · Answer

Zeltiq designed an effective technology to safely reduce fat without surgery. This has a significant dollar value to our patients. The equipment is expensive for the practice to purchase, there is a computer chip that allows the physician to treat each cycle, but that chip is expensive and is disposable so the physician has to purchase multiple chips to allow for treatment. Furthermore, there is a costly expensive for the physician to purchase each of the new applicators as they are manufactured. There are now five applicators that physicians can choose to purchase to allow for the best fit and to allow more patients to be candidates for the treatment. Lastly, there is an expensive service contract that most practices purchase each year to maintain the equipment in good condition and for repairs should they be necessary. All these factors illustrate why physicians can't discount the fee for CoolSculpting to any significant extent. 

	In our NYC practice, we don't charge more for the larger applicator even though it costs more for us to use it. We offer discounts for multiple applicators, as many of our patients are candidates to have several applicators per zone to truly sculpt their physique and we wanted to make it as affordable as possible. We also discount for second treatments.

Jon Paul Trevisani, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question!  Coolsculpting pricing is an individualized plan per patient Treatment Plan.  During your consultation, your provider will customize a treatment plan specific to your needs after assessing your body.  Applicators range from small to large and pricing is based on which applicator is being used along with the number of applicators being used.  I hope this helps and good luck to you!

Sheila S. Nazarian, MD · Answer

The cost of Coolsculpting
depends on how many areas you are having treated.  Each area can vary from
$600 to $750 dollars.  You should speak to your practitioner about how
many sessions you will need on each area as well so that you have realistic
financial expectations.
My best,
Sheila
Nazarian

Gregory Mesna, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for bringing your concerns to all of us regarding CoolSculpting treatment. In reviewing all of your noted concerns and questions, I found the comparison of your experience with CoolSculpting and value placed on the surgeon work (performance), a good reminder and message about the invaluable element of customer service and care. It is certainly true that the cost of a surgical procedure can be comparable to the non-invasive CoolSculpting option.  While we carefully consider the expenses of business (all the costs to provide any service), we do our best in our practice to create pricing structures that will be fair and realistic to our patients.

	As answered previously, all practices have expenses, maybe some higher than others, but we look for common ground on pricing these effective non-surgical treatments such as CoolSculpting. In any market, you may find variable costs, but should be close in proximity. 

	All of the treatments today are expensive, surgical and non-surgical, and the most important thing we can provide is sincere, honest and careful direction in treatment recommendations to help you achieve outcomes you're grateful to obtain. 

	Thank you for the opportunity to respond to this topic of concern as you're not alone when it comes to concerns about cost of treatment.

	Best of luck to you!

Kris M. Reddy, MD, FACS · Answer

Coolscupting treatments at our practice start at $700. The cost for Coolsculpting starts at $700 for a cycle of CoolCore, CoolCurve, cool mini, or Coolfit.The cost for Coolsculpting with Coolsmooth Pro starts at $750.The cost for Coolscupting will be $1200 for a cycle of Coolmax.A patient may need multiple cycles to achieve the optimal treatment.We are currently running a special where a patient who purchases 1 cycle, can get a 2nd cycle 50% off.

Michele S. Green, MD · Answer

Coolsculpting is a great technology for freezing the fat and reducing a bulge with a non-invasive painless way.  The actual technology and benefits considering the patient has no surgery and no down-time are remarkable. The coolsculpting company actually sets the cost of the machine, the adaptors, the yearly service warranty, and the individual card that must be purchased for each patient.  All total it can cost a practice $200,000 to set up the machine without even mentioning the cost of the office, the staff, etc.  The same is true for other lasers were the physician has to purchase the laser and the disposables and the service warranty to maintain the equipment each year.

Michael Law, MD · Answer

Often offices using multiple systems, occasionally referred to as dual coolsculpting, may ofer a reduced rate for the second area.  This allows the patient to receive treatment of two areas at once, and only takes one hour of office space rather than two. In my Raleigh, NC Coolsculpting practice, we do offer reduced rates for a second area. We also, as many offices do, offer a reduced rate for multiple treatments. We do not sell packages, or take money in advance because it is not possible to predict exact outcomes. Therefore, we would not someone to pay in advance for a second treatment if they are pleased with the results of the first treatment.

	Just like any other procedure, don't select where you receive a treatment exclusively based on the lowest price. We know CoolSculting works, but patient selection is important (not everyone is an ideal candidate) and the manner in which the applicator is applied is critical.

Pablo Prichard, MD · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.

	The costs of coolsculpt vary from location to location and are based on

	1. Cost of the machine.

	2. Cost of the disposables (which is a fee that goes back to the coolsculpt company, not the physician's office)

	3. Cost of employee or surgeon applying the machine.

	4. Cost of rent and general overhead, etc.

	I understand your frustration with costs.  Know that most surgeon offer package deals, i.e. if one area = 750, there is a decreased price for each additional area, depending on how many areas are treated.

	Best Wishes,

	Pablo Prichard, MD

Steven Hacker, MD · Answer

The cost of Coolsculpting varies by practitioners and also varies according to the size of applicator.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.

	The price is adjusted per office but every office has to be able to pay for the machine as well as all of the disposable costs associated with this treatment.  Sometimes when you have multiple procedures performed, the cost will be lowered.

	The best part about this treatment is the result without having to go under anesthesia.

Coolsculpting Costs...Who Sets the Price?

Answers (11)