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Dear all

I know it is very uncivilised to talk about money.

From time to time, though, I note some mention by members about the various fees that they provide in their own countries. There often seems to be quite variation in economic remuneration across international boundaries for private fee for service arrangements. No doubt this is a reflection on the health funding policies of the country where the service is provided.

As a point of interest, I would like to hear from anyone about the typically fees (in approximate $US for comparison) that would apply for the following basic podiatry servcies in your own country. I will give a very general estimate of the average for my own Australian state (QLD), from what I have heard. There is an easy currency convertor you can use here.

1. Initial consultation (AU$75 = US$61)
2. Standard consultation ((AU$55 = US $45)
3. Complete orthotics fees {casting, devices, dispense, review} ((AU$550 = US$448)
4. Phenol matrixectomy {and follow-ups} (AU$350 = US$285)

Might be an interesting exercise for those in private practice?

LL

I am in Singapore and i can assure you that most of the private pods here are basically the same as the US prices stated above.

The thing that must be remembered about Singapore is still developing podiatry, and the private insurance companies are yet to come to the party to pay for the services. So as to date, those seeking private pods are either paying themselves 100% or are working for a company that will cover the cost (most in this position don't really need the company to pay anyway). If they seek public pods, they still pay approx. 50% of the total bill, which is similar to that of private anyway (almost the same). So either way, if you want to see a pod here in singapore, be prepared to pay anyway.

Rgds, Torin

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Torin O'Grady
Podiatrist
Singapore General Hospital
Singapore

The only big difference I see is that insurance's will cover follow visits in the US. Also, my initial consult charge is $30-50 more than what you have listed.

Bruce Williams

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Bruce E. Williams, D.P.M.
Breakthrough Podiatry

Comparing fee schedules! Well, I'm not an lawyer, but I think here in the US of A it's not legal. That being said, LL's fees look pretty good. Can I join your practice?
DrSArbes

Here in Australia, yes it is illegal to collude with fellow Podiatrists about fee structure, but I would be surprised to find it included international comparisons. As most of our patients wouldn't shop around internationally for treatments, and those that do get treated while 'away on holidays', I presume wouldn't worry about the prices.

But it all comes down to the kind of Salesman you are. What is the most you have ever heard of someone paying for 1 pair of orthotics ??

Trudi

In the UK the highest I've heard of is £1700 inclusive of initial and follow up consultation. The patient was not helped by the devices.

Ian

Were they made of gold ?? or just cheap old polypropolene with a few extra coloured additions for effect ??

Hi Trudi

If they were gold I'd have asked to keep them, as an example of poor workmanship of course .

The device was a well made polyprop with an eva base. In this case they were wholly inappropriate affording no help.

Ian

Dear all,

I was certainly not trying to suggest any form of collusion etc - but just interested in what variations exist across international borders.

As a society we do this type of cost analysis all the time with other health services; eg what does a night in intensive care cost, how much is a particular drug from one country to the next (HIV drugs being a prime example), what does a generic drug cost vs a proprietary brand.

I was prompted to ask, as I had heard of some practitioners charging far in excess of US$1000 for orthotic therapy.

Then again, our local dental prosethetist charges about the same for a simple custom mouthguard taken from an Ottoform K impression...maybe we are cheap compared to professions such as dentistry?

Thanks for your comments.

LL