Dr. Reed Shiraki
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Entries in discount (1)

Tuesday
Mar102009

Everybody or Nobody

The thing about the Honor Box is that you have to offer it to every person who walks in the door.

I've heard some docs tell me, "Yeah, I do the same thing as you.  Those who cannot afford my services, I give them a discount.  I make my chiropractic care affordable."

This is good... to a point, because when you pick and choose who gets the markdown, it can cause an ethical dilemma.

First off, you will get those patients who clearly can afford the standard fees, but instead adamantly claim that the price is too steep.  "I really need this," they'll say, "but I can't come up with the money." So instead of letting them drive away in their Lexus, a chiropractor may decide to play Let's Make a Deal and start the negotiations.

Actually, this doesn't upset me as much as the flip side of the coin:

Those new patients who really get it.  They get what chiropractic is all about and want to get under care right away.  But in reality, they CANNOT afford the fees presented by the doctor.  He wants $3000.00 up front.

But because they get it, they decide to go into debt.  They place that whole fee on their card.  Or they take out a loan, using the house as equity.  Or they dip into college savings.

It's worth it, they think.  They trust the doctor who takes their money.  Chiropractic IS worth the debt.

And they are right.  It is worth it.

The problem, the disconnect, occurs when the same chiropractor willingly accepts the money from those who cannot afford care while at the same time plays Let's Make a Deal with those who can pay, but think they can't.

It is disrespectful to those who get it.  It dishonors their sacrifice.

And in contrast, it rewards those who prioritize holding on to money above holding on to health.  

This is why I love the Honor Box.

The playing field is level.

What you pay is all on you: your values, your priorities, your respect for me as your chiropractor.

And ultimately, the esteem you hold for chiropractic.