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Hair Restoration Research Forum Hair Restoration Questions and Answers What's with the high first time consultation fees???|
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New Real Hair Club Member |
I am currently searching for a HT doc in the New York City area and I want to conduct proper diligence. But all of the top doctors are charging outrageous fees for the first consultation. Dr. Bernstein charges $150 and Dr. Avram charges $375! I want to find the right doctor but I could end up spending over $1000 (which does not go toward the surgery) before I even commit. Is this a new trend? Am I missing something? Thought these were supposed to be free. I feel taken advantage of when all I want to do is find the right fit.
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My Hair Loss WebLog Celestial Follicle Club Member  |
All of the top doctors aren't charging fees, let alone outrageous fees. And it's *not* the norm.
Go consult with Dr. Feller and Dr. True; both in NY. ----------- *A Follicles Dying Wish To Clinics* 1 top-down, 1 portrait, 1 side-shot, 1 hairline....4 photos. No flash. Follicles have asked for centuries, in ten languages, as many times so as to confuse a mathematician. Enough is enough! Give me documentation or give me death! |
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New Real Hair Club Member |
Thanks for the advice. Probably shouldn’t have said “all,” but the first three I contacted had fees. Started to worry. Good to know there’s some quality doctors out there that don’t charge.
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Hard Core Real Hair Club Member |
I think it's a little nuts for doctors to charge high consultation fees (and it seems, if there is this sort of fee, it invariably is high), but I suppose those who have enough patients coming in benefit from charging them both by making a little extra cash and by weeding out people who aren't "really" interested in the procedure.
Of course, this is elective surgery, and, I imagine, lots of people go into an office not totally sure of what they'll do afterward. Hell, a good idea may be to meet with more than one physician, even if you are strongly intent to undergo transplantation, in which case it stings to have to shell out a couple of hundred dollars per meeting. If you're uncomfortable with such charges, just rule out offices that favor them. In New York, I think, Drs. True and Dorin, Feller, and Beehner offer free consultations (perhaps Dr. Epstein, too, does). |
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My Hair Loss Site Guru Real Hair Club Member |
I think it is very stupid for doctors to charge a consultation fee! I had my procedure done with Doctor Feller and he did not charge me a cent for the consultation. In fact I met doctor Feller twice before my actual surgery and both times the meeting was free.
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Hard Core Real Hair Club Member |
Again, it's "stupid" is that it can drive away potential patients, but, in this same vein, perhaps not so stupid for the doctor who has a long line of clients waiting, and doesn't want to "waste time" with persons not sure enough of whether or not they'll have the procedure, to put down a couple of hundred dollars toward it (if I'm not mistaken, initial-consultation fees go toward the cost of operation, if one is performed).
For the patient, yes, it seems to be a terrible deal...  . |
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Follicular Salvation Club Member |
Dr. Feller is on of the top docs not just in nyc, but the world. he will also not charge a consult fee. it's ridiculous imo, to be charged a consult fee.
HT #1: Karamikian Unknown # of grafts Sept.2006 HT#2 Nov.23rd, 2007 Dr.Feller Almost 3200 grafts Arctic Fish Oil Via Viente whole food mineral elixer |
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
Dr Rahal, the best imo does not charge consultation fees...
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
Does Dr Feriduni charge a consultation fee? I think its better to get cheap flight just for consultation rather than have consultation right before surgery. Are the waiting lists long in his clinic?
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
I just checked Rahals website. Looks very impressive as does Feriduinis. Taking into account the price of the Dollar, its around the same price but going to canada would mean expensive flights and hotel stay for wk or 2. If i went to Belgium I could be home in ireland in a few days. Would it be possible to go to work after 2 wks without anyone noticing? Is the scar worth it? does Rahal do fue?
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My Hair Loss Site Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
I know that Rahal dose not do FUE..only heard good things about him thou.
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Honorary Real Hair Club Member |
How do you get away with charging a couple of hundred for a consultation fee???
I must have missed that class. Most of the guys I know don't charge for consults. Dr. Lindsey McLean VA |
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My hair loss site Managing Publisher and Forum Moderator Follicular Grand Wizard  |
Some doctors do charge a consultation fee. I don't see anything ethically wrong with it, especially since they are giving their time to help prospective patients develop a long term hair restoration plan. In some cases, prospective patients will consult with a doctor for a couple hours and then not even choose them for surgery.
What some doctors do is charge a consultation fee that then applies to their hair transplant procedure if they choose to book. I can certainly understand that logic of thinking as well. As a patient, I admit that I don't like the idea of being charged for a consult. But I can understand why doctors charge for it. Besides, would you begrudge your primary care physician the fact that he/she charges for annual check-ups? Most of us don't blink because our medical insurance covers it other than a nominal co-pay. But just as primary care physicians are charging for their time even when they're not treating an illness, some hair restoration physicians choose to charge prospective patients for a consult to help educate them. All that to say, if I was considering two doctors and one charged for a consultation and the other didn't, I'd be less likely to consult with the one who's charging me for their time prior to the procedure. Best wishes, Bill (Falc) Managing Publisher of this Community Follow us on Twitter | View Hair Transplant Videos on YouTube ----- To learn about how I restored my hair, read my hair restoration story with pictures. See also my hair loss website. Learn how Physicians are Recommend on this Community I am not a medical professional and my words should not be taken as medical advice. All opinions and views shared are my own. Learn how to subscribe to our community newsletters |
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
Just wanted to let you know Dr F doesn't charge for consultations, neither do the other hair surgeons in Belgium and most of them in the Netherlands. |
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
The waiting lists aren't long at all; normally you'd be able to have your consultation within 3 weeks, but the operation itself will have to wait for 2-3 months post consultation. |
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My Hair Loss Website Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
There were no consultation fees with Dr. Keene before I choose to go with her earlier this year. In fact, she replied to a number of follow up emails I sent with no fees.
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My Hair Loss Site Guru Real Hair Club Member  |
Dr Barrera in Houston charged a $100 consultation fee. But he was in a high end medical section in Houston and the rent for that office space probably wasn't cheap. But his prices were pretty steep. $8 per graft.
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New Real Hair Club Member |
Dr. Alan Bauman in Boca Raton charged me a $100 phone consultation fee,i talked to him for 15 or 20 minutes.
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
The actual consultation procedure is important so that we can accurately assess your needs and desires along with providing you with realistic expectations of what you can achieve through transplantation. We do not employ sales consultants in our practice. The doctors meet and consult with all of our potential patients personally. During most consultations in the office, there will be an opportunity to actually watch a hair transplant procedure in progress. Our patients are fully awake, under local anesthesia and are usually quite open to allowing other potential patients come in to talk with them during the procedure. We don't charge for our consultations, but we do require them before scheduling an actual procedure. The most ideal method is to come in to the office, but since many of our patients come in from out of town, this is not always a reasonable option. The second best method of consultation is by talking over the phone with the use of photos. These can either emailed or sent by US mail to our address. If you choose to email us your photos, please send in JPEG format, if possible. For the best evaluation possible, please take pictures of the front (facial), top (crown), both sides, and the back (donor area) of your head. Also, pictures are best if taken from about 5 feet away. After receiving and reviewing the photos, one of us will call you to talk about your options.
*NO CHARGE FOR CONSULTS* Jessica HT Coordinator Limmer HTC Dr. Brad Limmer is a member of the Coalition of Independent Hair Restoration Physicians |
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Veteran Real Hair Club Member |
Hi Jessica What does HT Coordinator mean? and what do you mean by . Who is the one of us? I am confused because you say that
what exactly is your role? You say that
Thanks |
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Hair Restoration Research Forum Hair Restoration Questions and Answers What's with the high first time consultation fees???