I appreciate everyones valuable input. I'm working with Dr. Rassman to work out a possible solution that will satisfy the concerns of this community. Stay tuned.

Pat

Thanks Pat,

We look forward to and await your reply.

Falc

Appreciate it, Pat!

I look forward to seeing your ultimate recommendation.

Thanks Pat!

Great Discussion Guys!!!!!!!!

quote:

hairbank:
Appreciate it, Pat!

I look forward to seeing your ultimate recommendation.

"Free grafts for all Southern CA residents" woohoo!

quote:

Originally posted by Pat - Publisher of this Community:
I appreciate everyones valuable input. I'm working with Dr. Rassman to work out a possible solution that will satisfy the concerns of this community. Stay tuned.

Pat

Any update on this?

Falc

I appreciate everyone’s valuable input regarding Dr. Rassman's involvement with our community. It's tough to come up with a solution that satisfies everyone but I think Dr. Rassman, his staff and I have come up with a solution that is close. Dr. Rassman has shown a great deal of flexibility in meeting the concerns expressed in this thread.

As many of you know, Dr. Rassman is a big believer in patient education and empowerment. His website at www.newhair.com and blog at www.baldingblog.com have been great in-depth and empowering patient resources, as is his book - "The Patient's Guide to Hair Restoration”.

His belief in patient education and open information is one of the reasons why he wants to participate in our community as a member of the Coalition.

To support our community and forum he now prominently promotes them on the New Hair Institute website and on this popular balding blog.

Dr. Rassman has also offered to give those visiting our community special deep discounts.

He is willing to reduce his normal surgical fee of $10 per graft down to $6 per graft for those who are willing to do surgery in his Los Angeles office on a "Standby" basis and be called less than ten days prior to surgery.

For those who would like to schedule surgery with him more than ten days in advance he is willing to reduce his fee down to $8 per graft for surgery in his Los Angeles office. After 2,000 grafts all additional grafts will be charged at half rate. Travel reimbursement credits up to 5% of fees paid will still apply.

To qualify for these special discounts patients must refer to the "Coalition Special" when they initially contact the New Hair Institute's office.

I think such flexibility and generosity on Dr. Rassman and his staff's part is very commendable.

Based on his generous offer and support for our forum and community I believe that Dr. Rassman should take his rightful place as an elite member of the Coalition.

I hope that you will join me in welcoming him as a new Coalition member.

Thanks again for your input and influence in helping to achieve this positive outcome for those visiting our community.

Pat

Pat...

So let's say on a sample 3500 graft procedure, like I recently underwent through Dr.Feller at a cost of $11,000,(though he threw in an additional 200 N/C) I would have to pay Dr.Rassman $16,500 for the privelege? Hope my math is correct. How about FUE procedures?

Sorry to be a ****buster.

That is great news Pat!!!!!

While I still think that the pricing is a tad high, I am encouraged that Dr. Rassman feels that his involvement and addition to the Coalition is beneficial enough to lower his fee's.

I hope this news is met with openess and understanding.

Thank You Dr. Rassman and thanks Pat!!!!

GREAT JOB ALL!!!!!!

Understandable Cousin, but lets give the Dr some respect for looking past pride and simple economics to meet our demands in the middle.

For those who live in the immediate area and can take short notice sessions or take advantage of the better pricing schedule, by the time you factor in travel it is not that bad, especially by So Cal standards.

I am happy that Dr. Rassman feels his membership here warrants lessening his fee's for our members.

Let's keep our minds open and see how this works out.

I too am glad the Dr. Rassman has shown flexibility in his prices for the sake of the community.

I still believe that his prices are high and personally would not go too him. That being said, if anyone asks about him, I would be able to say with confidence that he is a fine physician, but pricey.

I am willing to go with the flow on this one. The bottom line: I'm happy Dr. Rassman is being flexible and sees this community as important, however, I'm not over-enthused being that he's still charging well over the market value.

So, I would suggest that we welcome him as a coalition member with open arms, however, that we put a disclaimer on his page stating that his prices are higher than market value, etc. I think this is fair since we want patients to have all the facts, which includes pricing. I further state, that we should not simply include his rate on his page, but actually state that it's higher than market value. If patients don't know the going rate for an HT, simply stating $8 per graft (discounted for coalition members) is deceiving when they don't know that most docs with equal skill charge $4.50 per graft.

Thoughts on my suggestion?

Falc

A-HA...I see this has already been accomplished:

quote:

From Dr. Rassman's Coalition Page:

Due to his world renown reputation and high demand for his services, Dr. Rassman fees are higher than those of his NHI associate Dr. Jae Pak, M.D. However, Dr. Rassman is willing to reduce his normal surgical fee of $10 per graft down to $6 per graft for those who are willing to do surgery in his Los Angeles office on a "Standby" basis and be called less than ten days prior to surgery.

For those who would like to schedule surgery with him more than ten days in advance he is willing to reduce his fee down to $8 per graft for surgery in his Los Angeles office. After 2,000 grafts all additional grafts will be charged at half rate. Travel reimbursement credits up to 5% of fees paid will still apply.

I like it...it is very thorough. I'm not sure if I like the reasoning stated here. Many other doctors are in high demand and have a world renown reputation and charge much less. Perhaps if we just state this for the first paragraph:

"Note: Dr. Rassman fees are higher than those of his NHI associate Dr. Jae Pak, M.D. and other coalition doctors. However, Dr. Rassman is willing to reduce his normal surgical fee of $10 per graft down to $6 per graft for those who are willing to do surgery in his Los Angeles office on a "Standby" basis and be called less than ten days prior to surgery."

Thoughts?

Falc

B spot...

I am sure you expected as much from me. I have not made it a secret that I considered his fees exorbitantly high. Putting all this aside I consider him a fine surgeon, but by no means the best.

Now that Dr.Rassman has become a member of the Coalition, I will judiciously recommend him when I feel it is appropriate, but I will inform those that his fees are higher than the norm. My obligation is to the patient, not Dr.Rassman. I am sure you will agree with this, and knowing your ethical standards, I am sure you will also inform others of this fact.

Pat,

I appreciate what Dr. Rassman is trying to do with his price flexibility...............I land with Falc on this one and agree that a disclaimer should be posted regarding his pricing because even at the reduced rate its far above what a person can pay for the same quality work from other coalition members. As I was posting, I wondered, would it be fair to the other coalition members if we accepted him into membership and didn't mention the pricing differential?

At any rate, his skill and experience are without question and I'm sure those who opt for him, as long as they are aware of the price differential, will receive a quality HT.