Do you charge a contact lens fitting fee?

[fjpod]

Do you charge one? It's amazing how many patients think it is part of a routine exam, and they expect you to write a CL Rx after they order their free plan glasses, so they can order contacts from the web or mail order. :hammer:

[chip anderson]

If all your contact lens fitting is K'readings and read a chart from the CL company on what size/base to use why not include it in routine exam?

Now if your contact lens fitting included instrution on care and removal (in your office until you feel the patient is competent at same) delivery of trial lenses and at leasst 1 or two week follow~up. Then you should charge a fitting fee.

But if you think K readings and reading the fitting advise off a chart is "a complete contact lens exam." You ain't worth the salt.

Chip

[For-Life]

It never ceases to amaze me how many stores will just hand someone a pair of trials (with proper K's taken) and say try these out. Especially doctors to try to persuade clients over.

Then people wonder why a company like 1800 appears. Maybe, because a lot of these people are not getting the service in the first place.

[QDO1]

We put patients on a monthly plan to cover thier contact lens appointmets and sight tests, and charge r cost + tax + nominal handling fee for the contact lenses. We explain to patients why we do it, and they are very loyal

there is more to contact lenses than the product - much more. We teach our patients that thier long term ocular health is much more important than a quick win this week

[Happylady]

Yes we charge a fee and we call it a contact lens evaluation and fitting fee. We used to call it just a fitting fee and former patients would occasionally complain that they didn't need to be fitted when we didn't change anything.

Now that we call it an evaluation and fitting fee we don't get complaints.

We also charge a training fee of $30.00 for new wears. I was sure we would get complaints about this one but no one has said anything yet.

[spartus]

Every new CL patient gets a thorough insertion and removal training, instructions on care & cleaning, a starter set (or two) of solution, and follow-up visits until they and the doctor are satisfied with the fit.

Our own previous fits typically still get a follow-up visit if there's a substantial change--manufacturer or lens design, for example--but if there's no great change, we tell them to call after a few days of trial wear, either to order or set up a follow-up, depending on how happy they are with the lenses.

As long as they stick with us for ordering the lenses, they get free trials (within reason). If they go the 1-800 route, we inform them (politely) that if they run out of lenses (or tear them, lose them, etc.) and/or the RX is expired, we'll give them trials to get them through until their exam that they're going to schedule. No new exam, no trials. Works pretty well.

[Foveator]

I can't imagine that you don't charge a CL fee, unless that fee is hidden in other charges. Although everyone has expenses to cover, you are entitled to work for nothing if you so desire. It's just at the end of days, you may want a little something to live on. Those 1000's of customers you gave away your services to won't help you out in your old age. At least you'll have your peace of mind that you helped all of your customers.

In our society, it is the general way of life that if you do something good for someone, they do something good for you. Exchange of currency for a needed service is just that.

[spartus]

Did I forget to mention the fitting fee? Of course we charge one. You think anyone sane would do all that for free?

[Nettie]

My doctor charges one price for a glasses exam and a higher price for a contact lens exam which will include the glasses rx, follow-ups, trials, insertion & removal instructions. We also have patients sign a form that says they understand that if they wait more than 60 days before having their follow up (if trials are required) then they will be charged another fitting fee. We have had so may people that take their trials and disappear for 6 months and expect to get more trials and their follow ups without paying a dime. Sorry kids....don't work that way.:finger: