December '06, Questions from the Field

Dear Coaches:
I have a patient who has been under regular care for the last 3 years. She has 2 children and has just found out that they are going bankrupt. She asked if she could decrease her frequency of visits until the first of the year and if I could maybe reduce my fee. What should I do
Dr. S

Dr. S:
This can be a very difficult decision to make. I think there is a part of us that wants to help everyone and although we feel that fair exchange in one of the more important principles in the healing process of the patient there comes a time when there is an exception to this rule. On the other hand, it does people an injustice to GIVE people care.

In order to best decipher this situation, we need to look at a couple of factors the fact that she asked you to reduce your fee for services is the first flag; if she had of come to you and said, I just want to let you know, I can no longer come in until January because of some financial stress that we are having, the answer may have been different. She may, in this case, be able to stretch out her care schedule over the next few weeks and still reap the rewards. This time of year many people feel extreme financial stress, spending way too much money on Christmas when they dont have it and going further into debt. They make decisions that arent necessarily in their best interest.

In a situation like this, listen to the Chiropractic Techs in your office. They may have some additional knowledge about the patient and be able to give you some input to help you make a more informed decision regarding the situation.

I have talked with your techs regarding this patient. The Front Tech recently received a call from the woman while she was at the hair stylist having her hair dyed. That costs money, likely two or more adjustments. You be the judge. Would you be willing to give away your adjustments so that she can get her hair dyed