Raising fees on recurring patients causes more anxiety than a complex clinical case. Done right, you'll lose 5-15% of the list, no more.
Signals it's time to raise
- 12+ months without raising.
- Full agenda 4 weeks straight.
- Wait list > 1 week.
- Added relevant training.
- Below your city range.
How much to raise: reasonable ranges
- 5-8%: tied to inflation, conservative.
- 10-15%: standard after 12-18 months.
- 20-30%: due to repositioning.
How to communicate it: three rules
- 4-8 weeks notice.
- Written communication.
- Neutral, firm tone.
Email template for fee increase
Hi [name], from [date], the session price will become [new amount] (currently [amount]). I've gone [X months] without updating fees. Sessions booked or packs purchased before [date] will keep the previous price. Thanks for the trust.
Packs and old-price respect
- Packs bought before change: old price until consumed.
- Already-booked sessions: old price.
- Buying a pack in prior weeks: option.
What to do if a patient doesn't accept
- Keep old price only for justified economic cases.
- Offer fortnightly sessions at new price.
- Refer to a colleague or public resources.
Mistakes that cost patients unnecessarily
- Communicating the raise when charging.
- Raising without notice.
- Apologising too much.
- Not respecting old packs.
- Raising 30% without visible justification.
Preguntas frecuentes
Questions about raising fees with patients.
How many patients do I lose by raising fees?
5-15% raises: 5-15% loss. 20-30% raises: 20-40%.
How often to raise fees?
Once a year, tied to inflation and positioning.
How do I respect old price for loyal patients?
Respect old packs until consumed. Indefinite old prices generate inequity.
What if they say they can't pay?
Offer alternatives: fortnightly sessions, finishing process, keeping old fee 3-6 months if isolated case.
Communicate by email or in session?
In writing (email or WhatsApp), 4-8 weeks before.