Do your vets charge for xray interpretation and injection technique?

Birker2020

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My vet charges for actually doing injections as well as the cost of the drugs, and they charge for interpreting the xrays which cost more than the actual price of the xrays themselves! For example an bill dating back to last year shows a charge of £63 for nerve blocks, and an extra £36.00 for actually doing them, which is cleverley called 'aseptic technique' ! Then it shows £90 for xrays and an extra £102 for 'intepretation of radiographs.' I have to say I am extremley pleased with my vets and the progress my horse has made with relation to his bone spavin, and I am insured so my insurance company foots the bill, but no doubt this will have a knock on effect on my premium next year. I do think its wrong to be charged for things which should automatically be done, its rather like your local supermarket charging you for the technique of scanning your items, or your local council charging you for their dustbin men to carry your dustbin to their dustcart. Do you think this is all wrong? Do your vets do this? It makes me wonder if these charges would be on the invoice if I wasn't insured and was paying for it myself.
 
To be honest I think most vets will do this. The charge for the xray is the charge for the procedure, plates etc and the interpretation takes time afterwards. The injection costs are for the syringes, needles and drugs plus the prodecure itself.
 
Unfortunatley it is common place. My vets tried to charge me a tenner just for stating what the sedation was for!!!.. They were promptly told to whistle I might add and didn't complain.. Maybe that was because I think me and my horse single handedly keep them in business lol
 
I imagion these charges are because the vet has gone to vet school for however many years (and at great expence) to learn how to do these things and the extra cost is because of that.
If any Tom, Dick or Harry could these procedures then there wouldn't be any point in the vets!
 
That sounds quite normal to me, and the prices you quote are by no means extortionate.

For example - your nerve blocks:
cost of drug
cost of associated medical equipment for aseptic technique (needle, swabs, clippers, alcohol etc)
paying for your highly qualified vets time to perform procedure
a % mark up to cover additional overheads
 
We get on really well with out vet as we probably finance most of the holidays the amount we have spent with them! They are really good about giving the maximum amount of care bt not letting it cost the earth, prehaps just ask them if there is every any way round something or making it more efficient i.e. taking horse to the practise for scan ect so not paying call our charge? when ours need nonintravenous antibio's the vet has tought me how 2 inject so he does not have to come out! great fun, can do it in neck and rump, B test here we come!
 
Yes I agree about keeping costs down, I took my horse to them the time before last for his Flu and Tet vac and last tildren episode i took him to the clinic for the day as it was cheaper and easier as they could keep an eye on him for side effects while I went back to work.
 
Yes but any Tom, Disk or Harry doesn't need 7 years of vet school to tell you what you already know i.e. Sedation for dentist being written on your invoice on top of the injection administration and the drug itself and call out.

There are a few that take advantage so you do need to fine tooth comb your bill

On taking your horse there; I once got charged for taking my horse to the practice as i had my lorry on their property. it worked out the same cost as the call out so pointless really. Is this common place too?
 
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Yes but any Tom, Disk or Harry doesn't need 7 years of vet school to tell you what you already know i.e. Sedation for dentist being written on your invoice on top of the injection administration and the drug itself and call out.

There are a few that take advantage so you do need to fine tooth comb your bill

On taking your horse there; I once got charged for taking my horse to the practice as i had my lorry on their property. it worked out the same cost as the call out so pointless really. Is this common place too?

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My comment was on performing the procedure.
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Perhaps you need to change vet's silverbreeze if you feel they are ripping you off?
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Hi - Thanks to the FSA Vets have show you, the client exactly how a charge is made up, so when in the past you may of just seen 1 price on your invoice for ....lets say xrays and nerve blocks, now we have to itemise everything, procedure, consumables used, and the professional fee, - (which very often is the small part of the bill !!! ) As an aside,Vets are now supposed to explain the cost of everything before undertaking any procedures etc. Hope that makes thing clearer D
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Thanks that does explain part of the bills I get.BUT must admit ours seem to be an add on rather than a break down £40 + call out ,£20+ examine horse then £10/£15 to discuss with client so am looking at £80- £100 before any meds/dressings etc.
My mate was also charged same for taking her horse to vets for annual injections as she would have been to call out as they said she had used their facilities despite vet walking up ramp injecting horse,job done.THeir argument was it was their carpark.Needless to say she made them come out to her next time which was more than a few miles away.
 
I would ask next time what everything will cost, they might not have a dead on figure, but approx should be near enough!

Unfortuantly yes vet practices charge for things like interpretation as interpretation of radiographs etc is not an easy job, we have spent years at vet school to ensure we can a)take a good radiograph and b) use said radiograph to find out what wrong and explain it to you for the best treatment outcome!
Its just a bugger it costs so much! prices often depend on the practice owner etc, some are cheaper as not making a huge mark up, others are more expensive as owner is more of a business man than a vet (which is also not a crime......)

as I say though, if you ask your vet, sure they would be happy to explain what each thing costs, why etc
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