I went to preface this by saying, that I have zero issue with providers passing this cost on to me right now until it is determined whether or not insurance is going to pay for it, it is for their safety as well as mine.
That said, I know nothing about the cost of PPE, so I'm wondering, what is a reasonable amount to charge patients? I found out the other day that our dental office is charging $10 per patient, which I thought was perfectly reasonable. My friend just texted me that her dental office is charging $50 per patient. Granted, I have no idea how much this stuff even costs.
What are the thoughts on this? Do you feel that this is a reasonable charge to pass along to the patients? What do you think is a reasonable amount?
Post by definitelyO on May 28, 2020 12:27:58 GMT -5
no data set - but personal opinion: I feel $50 is excessive if it's purely for PPE and not for "hazard" pay or something along those lines. I've seen surgical masks are under $2 each (finding them at Walgreens for $0.50 each). KN95 and N95 masks cost more. box of nitrile gloves are also under $1 per pair of gloves not sure how much face shields cost if they're wearing those
so if you have the hygienist and the dentist and a receptionist I could definitely justify a $10 charge.
Post by icedcoffee on May 28, 2020 12:32:01 GMT -5
Did we have a thread on this already? Or maybe it was a dream. LOL I think the common consensus was people were seeing around $10 charges and people were ok with it.
I'd be pretty ticked about $50. That's excessive.
I think people were not sure if insurance would pick up the extra costs.
IDK. I feel split. I understand that businesses have extra expenses, but at the same point we as consumers are picking up a lot of these extra expenses. In addition, a lot of us have lost jobs/pay. At some point the consumers can't be the ones to pick up the extra costs as it gets out of hand.
I don't know what the answer is but $50 is cookoo for coco puffs and I would consider finding a new dentist.
Post by icedcoffee on May 28, 2020 12:33:50 GMT -5
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
What is the PPE they are offering? A mask? I would be furious at paying 50 dollars.
I can't speak for my friends dentist, though I am sure that it is similar to mine. It's looking like mask, gloves, gown, and maybe a face shield? I'm not positive about the shield and whether or not they can use the same one or if they need a different one for each patient.
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
That is crazy and no way would I pay that. I'll cut my hair at home before I pay an additional $50 on top of the $60 I already pay for a cut.
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
That is crazy and no way would I pay that. I'll cut my hair at home before I pay an additional $50 on top of the $60 I already pay for a cut.
I agree and I've decided I will go elsewhere if they insist on charging it. I went belayage a few years ago to be able to go more time between visits so technically I haven't even missed a visit. My cut/color runs about $200 so hell no to an extra $50 charge.
That's so weird because there was JUST a post on my neighborhood FB page from someone who was pissed about the extra $10 charge because "they always have to wear masks and gloves", someone else mentioned $50 and then dentists actually chimed in with what all the extra PPE was (more than just their standard) and most people came around that $10 was reasonable.
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
Wow, I am definitely not going to pay an extra $50 for my hair! That's insane. Perhaps I'd tip more and I'd gladly pay their extra expense for PPE and sanitation or whatever, but I can't imagine that would add up to $50 per person unless they are asking customers to subsidize a reduced number of clients. Which, I get, it sucks they are making less money, but that's ultimately not my responsibility to fix IMO.
Post by litskispeciality on May 28, 2020 12:53:25 GMT -5
I would pass on the extra $50 for a hair cut...I should double check that won't be added upon cashing out.
My friend who's a dental assistant said her office is doing $10 per person for PPE. They don't know yet if insurance will cover or if it goes back to you? One would say just pay the damn $10 a move on, but if you're used to no charge after a cleaning you might be a Karen and fight the $10.
This just heightens for me that everyone is losing money and no one is winning here! I understand that salons can see fewer clients and have to space them out - that costs time and time is money for a stylist. But the customer is not getting any value added - their haircut is not suddenly $10 or $50 or whatever amount better. As a consumer I'm loathe to pay more for the same product/service but I understand that if it's going to be worth it for a salon to open at all, they need to make money! I don't think I have an answer, it's just interesting.
To add on even my hair salon said they'd be charging an extra $50 per person on their first visit back when they reopen. And....at some point these charges just become insane. I think in their minds this covers the fact that people's hair is out of control and may require more time, but at some point I can't absorb more cost increases.
I just got an email from DD's pediatric dentist describing their new protocols. The final bullet point is:
• Due to these additional protocols there will be a nominal Personal Protective Fee. If you have any questions about this fee, please ask a team member.
TBD what "nominal" will be. I would expect something like $10 or less, any more than that and I'd be unhappy about their description of it as "nominal."
The things that they're doing that cost money include: - I assume an IR thermometer, because they're checking patients' and parents' temps at arrival - Hand santizer all over the place - appointments spaced out more (so presumably fewer of them) - sanitizing reception and treatment area between patients - PPE for all team members - added acrylic windows to all check-in and check-out stations, as well as barriers to our open bay area. - medical grade HEPA filters & UV air scrubbers throughout the office
Post by somersault72 on May 28, 2020 13:08:28 GMT -5
Whoa. The salon my brow lady works at charges $2 for a mask if you don't have your own (which I do). I work in an OB/Gyn office and just give people masks because they don't have one. I didn't realize some dental offices were charging. Salons and things like that I understand, but dental offices surprises me.
Whoa. The salon my brow lady works at charges $2 for a mask if you don't have your own (which I do). I work in an OB/Gyn office and just give people masks because they don't have one. I didn't realize some dental offices were charging. Salons and things like that I understand, but dental offices surprises me.
The fee I paid at the dentist was for PPE for them - not me. I had to have my own mask or I wouldn't be let in the door.
Post by litskispeciality on May 28, 2020 13:13:33 GMT -5
I know salons have lost a lot of money, and will continue to be in the red if they can't see as many clients, but $50 is unreasonable. Even with pink tax you don't pay $50 for a haircut if you don't get a blow dry. If you sneak in $10 per cut, and pray the client tips you well then it's a start, but I really see losing customers to another salon who doesn't charge you $50 extra. ETA: Plus like everything else, the cost of a cut will go up, so don't pile on to that again.
I also have issue with a dentist charging more than a hair salon. Dentists have huge costs, but they charge for that, and get insurance. PPE isn't free, but they have more money than a salon who charges by the cut out of the clients pocket.
Post by sunshineluv on May 28, 2020 13:13:52 GMT -5
My dentist is charging $15, they sent out a list of all the changes they have implemented. Stuff like less appointments per day, you keep the pen you sign with, waiting in your car yada yada.
I think $15 is reasonable to compensate for all the changes.
My dentist is charging $10, which I think is completely reasonable. Between the additional PPE of a full gown, plastic face shield, and N95 mask, they also had to purchase extra hand sanitizer and took my temp.
They called 2 days beforehand and went over new procedures and were upfront about the cost.
PPE for the staff? I wouldn’t have an issue paying a small charge but my hygienist and dentist have always worn gloves, mask, and glasses. Is this not the norm? I’m not sure why they would start charging for PPE that they have always worn.
I know the desk folks will need it for the first time so I could see a small fee but definitely not more than $10.
ETA: I notice some people mentioned shield and full gown. Now the charge makes more sense. I have an appointment scheduled in a couple weeks. They didn’t mention a charge when they called to reschedule my cancelled one so while I have no issue paying it I hope this isn’t something they spring on people.
PPE for the staff? I wouldn’t have an issue paying a small charge but my hygienist and dentist have always worn gloves, mask, and glasses. Is this not the norm? I’m not sure why they would start charging for PPE that they have always worn.
I know the desk folks will need it for the first time so I could see a small fee but definitely not more than $10.
ETA: I notice some people mentioned shield and full gown. Now the charge makes more sense. I have an appointment scheduled in a couple weeks. They didn’t mention a charge when they called to reschedule my cancelled one so while I have no issue paying it I hope this isn’t something they spring on people.
The cost of PPE has skyrocketed, sometimes as much as 1000%. So what used to cost the dentist’s office $1 now costs $10. It seems reasonable to pass some of this cost on to the customer.
I feel sort of the same way about hairdressers, though $50 seems excessive. Disposable capes, extra cleaning supplies, PPE (that in many cases the stylist may need to purchase themself) all cost money.
PPE for the staff? I wouldn’t have an issue paying a small charge but my hygienist and dentist have always worn gloves, mask, and glasses. Is this not the norm? I’m not sure why they would start charging for PPE that they have always worn.
I know the desk folks will need it for the first time so I could see a small fee but definitely not more than $10.
When my daughter had her first visit back to the orthodontist it had changed drastically. He went from mask and gloves to full body paper suit (single use, one per patient) mask and gloves, eye covering, plus a face shield. I could easily see that being a whole lot more expensive. He also has the kids rinsing with a super strong mouthwash that’s supposed to kill all germs in the mouth for 30 minutes. I would guess that’s also not cheap.
I worked as a dental assistant from 1998-2000. At the time dental insurance was less common. My boss looked into it and the allowance for a cleaning was $15. For a cleaning that takes 30-45 minutes (and at the time she did those herself as she couldn’t afford a hygienist). The allowances for other work were also laughably low considering just operating costs, not the fact that as a well trained and licensed professional she deserved a solid salary as well. Even had she let me do it, as someone making minimum wage, it wouldn’t have covered the overhead of operating the office, let alone new PPE requirements. I would assume that the insurance companies haven’t magically gotten more reasonable in the past 20 years, so I would guess that dental offices have always operated on a thinner margin than most realize. Some may be using this as an excuse, but I suspect there’s a genuine aspect to their cost rising more than you realizing with these new PPE rules. $50 per patient sounds steep, but I would need proof that it’s truly under $10 as well.
I will be the outlier here, but I'm having a hard time with a business passing on this cost to their customers. It's a new world and this is a new cost of doing business in this world. I'd have an easier time with it if they were just increasing prices/fees to account for their additional costs. I know--same thing, but for some reason it bothers me less.
I will be the outlier here, but I'm having a hard time with a business passing on this cost to their customers. It's a new world and this is a new cost of doing business in this world. I'd have an easier time with it if they were just increasing prices/fees to account for their additional costs. I know--same thing, but for some reason it bothers me less.
Dental offices don’t have the ability to do that if they take insurance, though.
Post by badgerwrangler on May 28, 2020 14:05:37 GMT -5
As someone mentioned above, the price of PPE has absolutely skyrocketed. So if your dentist needs to do an aerosol generating procedure on you, the PPE for the dentist and assistant is likely to be at least $50.
Disposable gowns here, if you can even get them, are $10 a pop. Plus $10-15 for an N95 mask, plus a face shield (not sure on the cost). Plus they need to wear some sort of cap and of course the usual gloves.
So while they may be passing on the cost, so to speak, they aren't likely passing on the whole cost. This is not to mention the capital investments such as multiple air purifier systems, sealing off each room, signage, plexiglass around the receptions desk, an HVAC assessment, etc. Those won't be passed along (well maybe eventually through price increases).
Even with all of this, the supply chains to procure the PPE are the biggest headache and source of stress.
Unless you regularly work with PPE as a dental professional or purchase it I don't think you can understand how the requirements have changed and the pricing has increased.
We run a 24 chair dental clinic at my university and I just spent 57k on PPE and sanitation supplies for the fall semester. This is compared to 23k for supplies for the same time period last year. Part of this is because now the students will need N95s instead of just level 3 masks and because they will wear disposable gowns instead of lab coats. However it is primarily because the costs have risen so sharply.
That is the cost for me, someone who is purchasing hundreds of thousands of units (for all the university labs) from a vendor who I have a strong established relationship with. The pricing would be much higher per item if I was buying a smaller number.
So I understand why the dental offices need to pass these costs along and as long as they were willing to be transparent about the numbers when asked, I would be willing to pay.