"TWP fee schedule" -- the "bone" of contention.

One of the most common questions asked after orientation (or by many of the people I'm attempting to "win to wellness") is, "I don't understand how your fee schedule works..." 

So, I hope I can clarify IT some more in this blog.  It comes down to a very simple principle -- (after orientation) the fee schedule in this office is NOT the "fee I charge you for care", it's the "fee YOU choose to keep you and your family subluxation-free".  The TRUTH is, there is no "correct fee" for CHOOSING to live life subluxation-free.  If you want to use this office as an "aspirin" THEN you can stick to my fee schedule -- because you are still committed to Health equating as "feeling good" or "being pain free" or "in less pain".  
You can be in pain and still 100% healthy and you can feel good and be in poor health. Health has very little to do with how you "feel".  

As I tell people in orientation and this applies with everything in LIFE -- you must address the "cause" of the problem before you can provide a solution.
The problem with "fee schedules" in the chiropractic world revolves around 2 things: We call it, "The Co-Operative Chiropractic Problem". 

1. The purpose of chiropractic is to get "sick" (subluxated) people "well" (unsubluxated) and keep the "well" (unsubluxated) from getting "sick" (subluxated). 
2. Charge a fee for service rendered. 

Many of our profession considered the first (#1) of less importance than the latter (#2), therefore enlarge upon the latter and belittle the first.

Chiropractic is a very simple principle, practice, and procedure.

The Simple Principle:
Many chiropractors endeavor to impress practice members (patients) with the notion that it "cures" sickness, aches and pains rather than educating the simple principle that EVERYONE has his or her own inborn, God-given potential to express LIFE at 100% (and it comes from within their nervous system, not hidden "within" a medicine cabinet).

The Simple Practice:
Many chiropractors practice in an office where they have to meet the demands of third-party payers/insurance companies, ICD-10 regulations, hire assistants to keep audits out of harms way all while taking time and energy away from building relationships with their practice members, within their community and increasing the cost of care. Their patients both COME to their office for the WRONG REASONS (in pain/pain management) and LEAVE for the WRONG REASONS (out of pain, still in pain or insurance benefits run out). The chiropractic adjustment has been the same yesterday, today and forever and was built upon the simple practice of "detecting and correcting subluxations for the sole purpose of maintaining wellness". 

The Simple Procedure:
Because of being tied to third party payers, many chiropractors have to implement procedures to follow -- anyone who works in another doctor's office you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about -- (as to not get caught by some fraudulent act) -- now these chiropractors have to work for "the system" rather than the patient in need of care.  They xray EVERY new patient, provide traction tables before and after adjustments, use stim, heat, ice, ultrasound, thermal scan re-evaluations, and 40 adjustment "treatment plans" with a "sign the dotted line and prepay for your care" contract -- all while billing insurance companies for unnecessary procedures. They "over exam", "over xray", "over treat", "over bill" ALL because of procedures and trying to off set the cost of their "overhead".    

With all of that said, the solution to the cause of the problem was to withdraw from the system and to create a fee system that was congruent with my beliefs and the simple principles of chiropractic: A chiropractic adjustment is, in fact, priceless.  It restores the normal flow of LIFE from the source to fully express itself in the living body. How much is that worth? 


To me, in this day, chiropractic is an ESSENTIAL part to keeping you and your family healthy --- YES, I said, ESSENTIAL! (30 years ago... maybe not... but we encounter more STRESS (3 T's) in 1 day than our great grandparents did for their entire first 30 years of life). 

Set Fees for services are a good thing for things not essential:


I pay a SET FEE for my haircut because it is not an essential part to my health, I pay a SET FEE for my coffee because it is not an essential part to my health (although some may argue it's an essential part to other's health if I don't get my coffee in the morning ;) ).  I pay a SET FEE for my "health insurance", car, home/rent, etc... because they are not essential to maintaining health -- some of these expenses may seem essential only because they are regulated by federal and state laws now. I would even pay a SET FEE for my medical expenses and my gym membership because they are not essential to me expressing LIFE at 100%.  (I don't need a gym membership to Move Well -- but some choose because it keeps them motivated -- but not essential) 

If chiropractic is essential, How can I turn away someone from care if my fee is $35 per visit and they cannot afford it for each member of their family to get checked weekly??  If I turned them away it would contradict my belief and principles.  

So... 

I hung a box on the wall and let the patient pick a fee that is within their means so that EVERYONE, regardless of whether they are a billionaire or a pauper can afford to live life subluxation-free.  For some it's $150/week, for others it's $100/week, $40/week, for some $20 or $10/week and for some, I'm sure their fee is with an "r" BUT it's YOUR/THEIR fee and it will always be within your means to keep you, your family and friends subluxation-free.  I hope you use the office just like my family because that is what I think of all you! -- FAMILY.  

It's very simple... 


In Health and Faith,
   With Love and Appreciation,

Chad Schleiger, D.C.