I am originally a family doc but I had decided to switch to full time aesthetic medicine 5 years ago. I was doing well until recently, my practice revenue is alot less than what I use to make when I was doing family practice. So many similar medi spa opened up in my areas, all charge a reticulously low price. Another doc right next to me start doing some groupon deal for hair removal( 99dollars for 6 treatments) and I was like how the heck can he make money? I start to feel very unsecure about the field because even the salon guy and aestheticians are performing laser(even if it is illegal in my state). How can I crack these people down?

Anyone has input for me?

The office of professional discipline (opd) handles these kind of situations.
Also i feel that the groupon deals will ahd have eroded the field. No they are not making money at 99/6 tx if they get a few patients thaks a few new patients in the practice but if they get a very high number then they may as well close. I know one in my town that drew in 1200 people so lets add it up they will have 3600 visits at $50 total may as well turn away real paying patients becuase your obligated to do these discounts. Hiope your laser has a contract, lets see thats about $1000/mo so your $50 wont go far.

It also made the real value of our service drop. Heck I estimate botox really costs close to $8/unit ( how $5.35 drug, neeedle cost, waste cost, time spent, malpractice coverage) patients think its free so when you give it away at $99 and really collect $50 for 20u try to tell a pt you lost money they laugh.

You'll always have problems if you're trying to compete on price or just try and do what everyone else is doing. In order to make money you have to have pricing power. That entails providing something that people are willing to pay more for, whether that's service, uncommon treatments, or expertise. Just following everyone else is a sure way to be an also-ran.

very well put. I can agree more.

I understand your frustration with Groupon. It has truly cheapened the perception of the services. I think it must be used very judiciously in medical spas, especially when providing medical services. And just for the record, injectables, laser treatments and some chemical peels are medical services.

Regarding the salons that are providing medical services, a report to the state regulatory board is in order. It is called practicing medicine without a license. It is dangerous to patients and unfair to you and all the other legitimate physicians who are complying with the rules and regulations.

You should not give up Family Practice. 1) The country needs more Family Practitioners, 2) The primary care practice will feed your aesthetic practice, 3) Family Practice will never be a commodity, but Aesthetics is already almost there, 4) Physician extenders can increase your medical income without reducing fees, while Aesthetic procedure fees will be downgraded to the point where only the aestheticians are profitable.

There is a way of avoiding aesthetic fees becomong downgraded to the point where its only profitble to the aesthetcians
but it would require something that physicians seem incapable of doing and that is function as a cohesive group.

THe day doctors say no to lending their license to spas and technicians who otherwise would not be allowed to practice.
However doctors never learn, they take a few bucks in and complain how their income is eroding.

It happened wih medicare, it happened with HMO's and it is happening in the medispa industry.

If I had family practice, I would seriously consider Botique aka Retainer medicine. Check out "PrivatePractice.com"

I agree that you have to offer a unique experience for your patients or you will always be competing on price. If you really want to participate in the "anti-aging" arena, consider a total wellness program. One where you not only offer facial esthetics, but lifestyle medicine. That would include nutrition, lifestyle counseling (smoking cessation,weight loss etc)
Some of these programs can be very profitable, and the value they add to our patients lives is priceless.
A total wellness approach is NOT what the MedSpas are offering. And don't worry, they are going out of business everyday. They cannot be profitable with Groupon deals

I am happy to discuss ideas with you if you are interested. www.hcpnalliance.com Use the access code abc1234 to access the website listed

Be well~
Jacque