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|Articles|July 1, 2008

Fee-setting tool: Long-term analgesic testing

Are your exam fees in line with high-performing hospitals?

When cats are receiving long-term analgesics, you'll need to see them regularly for exams and blood work to reassess needs and monitor drug levels. These rechecks can often coincide with regular chronic illness evaluations. Dr. Eliza Sundahl of KC Cat Clinic in Kansas City, Mo., has adopted a sliding scale for fees associated with these visits that depends on how much time she spends with each client.

Are your fees in line with high-performing hospitals? Compare your charges to the median fees of Well-Managed Practices from the 2007 Benchmarks study:

Complete physical exam (20 minutes) $44

Extended exam (30 minutes) $56

Senior exam (20 minutes) $45

Medical progress exam (15 minutes) $33

Client phone consultation (10 minutes) $37

BUN $28

CBC with chemistry panel $102

Urinalysis $48

Blood glucose (single) $25

Source: Benchmarks 2007: A Study of Well-Managed Practices

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