out of hours cover fees

Re: out of hours cover fees

Stephen Courtney — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 22:31:50 GMT

A dedicated OOH service generates significant bad debt, and is also expensive to staff. Ours is very new, we are still feeling our way and trying to provide a service that is good for patients and suits our client practices.

Last night an SOS was issued by our night vet and the two night nurses, 5 criticals arrived at the same time. Our off rota staff rallied superbly despite the fact that is was a Friday night, and enough people turned up to pull the fat out the fire. I was very proud! It's not all about fees.

Re: out of hours cover fees

Phil Hyde — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 19:12:01 GMT

I don't think there is a 'current rate' as such. Unless you take the VetsNow figure of course...

For our part (in South East Wales) we charge £400 plus vat per month for each practice, no matter how many vets. As this covers much of the ambulance fees, if we have to deliver (different) animals back to more than one branch we charge more.

We keep nearly all the fees (and all of the debts) but any inpatients transferred to us will generate a 20% discount to the practice to pass on to the client or keep for themselves. Guess what most do...

Anyway - this is beginning to sound like an advert so I'll sign off now before Arlo has a go at me...

Phil

Re: out of hours cover fees

Michael Woodhouse — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 21:51:40 GMT

Not sure if this helps, but we share with another local practice. We charge each other time and mileage at a reduced rate and bill own clients directly.

We are both smaller mixed practices and it is the only way I can see it working in mixed practice. (it has worked well for ~8 years)