A new patient came to me last week complaining of back pain. The same story we hear time and time again – she’d been everywhere else – she saw an orthopedic specialist, a neurologist, she’s done the shots, the surgeries and nothing has helped. She’s turned to acupuncture as a last resort. She’s burdened by the weight of her pain and the uncertainty she’s now facing seeking the help of “fringe medicine.”
I took time to truly listen, to understand her concerns and aspirations for what she wants life to be like when she’s done with treatment. Then, with unwavering honesty, I lay out a roadmap for her treatment – a transparent plan tailored to her needs. 10 treatments, two times a week, for 5 consectuive weeks.
I also quote her the cost of 10 treatments and request that payment be made up front.
Some of you out there just wet your pants. But hang on, because it gets more interesting.
Her husband chimes in, “you know, this is the only medical procedure I’ve heard of that requires payment up front.”
So I responded, “well if you’d like, I could always do what the hospital does and send you a surprise bill afterwards but I prefer to be honest with my patients.”
He chuckled, we shared a good ‘gotcha’ laugh and he took out his credit card.
You see, as acupuncturists, we understand the intricacies of healing. We know that true wellness isn’t achieved overnight, but through a series of treatments that address the root cause of pain and inflammation. And if we’re truly skilled practitioners, we can usually ballpark the number of treatments a patient will need to within a small margin of error.
So why wouldn’t I share this insight during a patient’s intake? Why cloak the path to healing in ambiguity when I can illuminate it with honesty?
When that husband handed over payment, a sense of commitment to care also took hold.
But it wasn’t just about commitment – it was about trust. Trust that I would guide them faithfully through her healing journey Trust that there would be no hidden surprises or unexected bills wiating for them at the end of their treatment cycle.
In an industry where transparency is sorely lacking, I encourage you to be a practitioner your patients can truly trust. Be honest with them at their intake. Tell them the hard truth – that they will need treatment plan, a series of treatments designed to actually treat what ails them.
And on the rare occassion you get push back – you simply explain that pre-paying allows you to keep your costs so you can help more people like themselves and it helps to ensure commitment to care. And if you’re bold enough – use my line above.
So let us embark on this journey together, guided by honesty and trust. Because when we embrace transparency and treatment packages, we’re not just transforming healthcare – we’re transforming lives.