ANOTHER THOUGHT ABOUT FEE INCREASES

In a recent blog we considered fee increases for the year.  If your practice has historically adjusted fees in the fall, now is the time.  We mentioned that the Consumer Price Index lists the 2012 U.S. inflation rate at approximately 3%.

Whether you agree or disagree with the Consumer Price Index report, following is an interesting summary of some annual price increases for basic needs occurring in the U.S. between 2000-2010:

            Gasoline - 10.9% increase from 2000 - 2010 (and more than doubled since 2009)

            Eggs – 6.5%

            Ground beef – 4.8%

            Bread – 4.2%

            Electricity – 3.7%

Keep in mind that this short list notes increases as of 2010, not 2012.  The source, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has not yet listed the last two years’ increases for basic items every family needs.

Though it is against FTC regulations to collude with colleagues in your area for the purpose of setting fees, there are many on-line sources listing dental fees per area, zip code, specialty, etc.  Simply search, for example, “dental fees by zip code” or go to www.ada.org to order the 2011 Survey of Dental Fees, item code: SDFG-2011/SDF-2011D.  The survey is a free download for ADA members.  The survey is accompanied by a disclaimer that it is not to be interpreted as constituting a fee schedule in any way since the ADA cannot quote or set dental procedure fees.