What should i charge for PFT's

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ED MIDDLEBROOK in Old Hickory, Tennessee 61 months ago	I live in a very small town in western AZ. There is a local doctor wanting someone to do PFT's in his office-twice a week or so.. I do PFT's but don't have a lot of experience; however, I'm really busy with other things so this would have to pay well for me to even bother. What would be a reasonable, or even not so reasonable charge for this? I already know there aren't more than 2or3 other RT's in this area who do PFT's. The Doc may have a hard time finding someone else. - Was this comment helpful? Yes (5) / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Glen Burnie, Maryland 55 months ago	PFTs are an excellent way to earn a lot of money quickly. I operated an in house PFT lab for a Pulmonary group and earned over $15,000 per month. Granted, I owned the equipment, provided staffing and supplies and ran the Lab full time, but the net income was excellent. The key to making the big money is to own the PFT lab and employ the Physician. If you want to do this for this physician I would suggest that you charge per procedure instead of an hourly rate. Chances are they are going to schedule a ton of patients, back to back, for you on the days you work, so you might as well share in the profits. The minimum that I would charge for a complete set of PFTs would be $40.00. If you are interested in starting your own lab or starting another Respiratory Care Business then check out this site www.respiratoryentrepreneur.com Good Luck, Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes (11) / No Reply - Report abuse
Lloyd W Yoder in Tampa, Florida 53 months ago	ED MIDDLEBROOK in Old Hickory, Tennessee said: I live in a very small town in western AZ. There is a local doctor wanting someone to do PFT's in his office-twice a week or so.. I do PFT's but don't have a lot of experience; however, I'm really busy with other things so this would have to pay well for me to even bother. What would be a reasonable, or even not so reasonable charge for this? I already know there aren't more than 2or3 other RT's in this area who do PFT's. The Doc may have a hard time finding someone else. I am also a Resp Therapist. After many years in a hospital enviroment, we started a PFT program in Physician offices. We presently go to 7 different Physician offices. Wondering how and if you got this program going. Lloyd - Was this comment helpful? Yes (4) / No Reply - Report abuse
Ron in Apple Valley, California 53 months ago	Ok. What is "PFT"? - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Lloyd W Yoder in Tampa, Florida 53 months ago	Pulmonary Function Tests - Was this comment helpful? Yes (2) / No Reply - Report abuse
Ron in Apple Valley, California 53 months ago	Thanks. - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Ed Middlebrook in Dolan Springs, Arizona 53 months ago	Thanks for your help. The "own your own equipment" sounds intriqing. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
uli2000 in Ely, Nevada 53 months ago	Unless he furnishes the equipment or you can line up other docs to do them for, I say dont even worry about it. Kingman has a pretty good RT department from what I remember, and Vegas isnt all that far away, so unless you are seeing 10-15 patients a week at $100 or so each, I say dont do it. My small hospital charges about $80 per test for a simple spirometry and about $170 for a pre/post spirometry. You could get the equipment to do it for around $2500-5000, but unless you can line up lots of buisness, I wouldnt go buying all my own equipment. - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Glen Burnie, Maryland 53 months ago	The equipment will pay for itself over time. If money is an issue purchase refurbished equipment. Without your own equipment you can and will be replaced for a cheaper contractor once the physician realizes the profit that can be made. Check with your State Disability SSI program. They are usually in search for non hospital based pulmonary testing vendors and they pay fairly well for simple pre and post spiro, excercise studies, lung diffusion and abgs. For more tips on getting started visit www.respiratoryentrepreneur.com - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Ed Middlebrook in Dolan Springs, Arizona 52 months ago	Thanks for the input everyone. I actually decided NOT to work for this particular Doc-he wanted to pay by the hour and I wasn't too impressed with the money offered, but there are some good ideas here Thanx - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Tarheel RRT in Durham, North Carolina 52 months ago	Ed Middlebrook in Dolan Springs, Arizona said: Thanks for the input everyone. I actually decided NOT to work for this particular Doc-he wanted to pay by the hour and I wasn't too impressed with the money offered, but there are some good ideas here Thanx When I did some part time work in a MD's office, I asked for $20/hour. That was 4 years ago, so it would be $22 now. PFT's are money makers for MD offices. This is of course using an already set-up lab. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
sarah mayfield in Spruce Pine, North Carolina 48 months ago	i seen 40 dollars for a complete set of pft's. would this be mainly what you would do a complete set. what if you just did 1 test? how do you charge for 1 test. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
sarah mayfield in Vale, North Carolina 48 months ago	I AM NOT ALL THAT FAMILIAR WITH DOING PFT'S I HAVE BEEN IN THE SLEEP LAB AND WORKING FOR A DURABLE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT CO. IS IT PRETTY EASY TO LEARN. A LOCAL PULMONARY DOC HAS THE EQUIPMENT AND HE WANTS TO CONTRACT ME OUT. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
sarah mayfield in Vale, North Carolina 48 months ago	I AM SUPPOSE TO EMAIL THIS DOC TODAY. SO YOU THINK 40 FOR A COMPLETE SET AND 20 FOR SIMPLE SPIROMETERY - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Annapolis, Maryland 48 months ago	I'm not sure what your regular hourly rate is as an RT, but if you are comfortable with this rate then go ahead. Keep in mind it will take about 3o minutes for spiro and an hour for a complete once you factor in all of the variables such as set up, patient prep, report/chart prep etc. I don't think the physician will have a problem with the rate as they get a lot more than what you'll requesting. The key is volume, so get them to schedule as many patients as they can on the days you are scheduled to test. This will make it worth your while, verses doing 1-2 patients a day. Good luck Brenda www.respiratoryinc.com - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Annapolis, Maryland 48 months ago	Hi, No it's not hard at all especially since you are familar with lung physciology. I'm sure they'll give an inservice on the equipment and their procedures. You can also contact an area hospital's PFT lab for some insight, inservice and help if needed. Brenda www.respiratoryinc.com - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Ted in Cape Coral, Florida 48 months ago	Brenda, what is the starting rate for jobs up in Maryland? How's the job market up there? Thanks - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
sarah mayfield in Fallston, North Carolina 48 months ago	Brenda in Annapolis, Maryland said: Hi, No it's not hard at all especially since you are familar with lung physciology. I'm sure they'll give an inservice on the equipment and their procedures. You can also contact an area hospital's PFT lab for some insight, inservice and help if needed. Brenda www.respiratoryinc.com thanks so much for your info. i do appreciate it. i will let you know what happens. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Annapolis, Maryland 48 months ago	Hi, Job market is very good in Maryland. We have lots of agency work which is a good indication that there is a lot of full time slots available. I think the average starting salary for staff RT is 50K - 65K, with some agency RT's making close to 90K. - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Ted in Cape Coral, Florida 48 months ago	Thanks for the info Brenda. Any idea as to how many students/year graduate from the programs in the area? I'm currently a soon to be second year student and intend on moving up to the area after I get my RRt in Florida. One of my main concerns is that since I won't be a gradute of a local program, it will be more difficult for me to obtain employment when competing against local grads. Thanks :o) - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Ted in Cape Coral, Florida 48 months ago	Hey troll, what exactly are you talking about? If you're implying that I'm a felon because I want to relocate, you musthave been dropped on your head as a child. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Annapolis, Maryland 48 months ago	Hi Ted, I don't think you will have a problem relocating here. There is currently a need for new RTS in Maryland. Once you obtain a Maryland license you'll have no problem finding work. Good luck and great success, Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Ted in Cape Coral, Florida 48 months ago	Thanks Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No (1) Reply - Report abuse
r sidell in Richmond, Virginia 40 months ago	I work at a large pulmonary physicians office. I do PFTs 8hrs/5days a week. How do you schedule your appointments? How much time do you put on a complete PFT, 1 hr, 30 min or what??? - Was this comment helpful? Yes (1) / No Reply - Report abuse
Rolinda in San Diego, California 40 months ago	r sidell in Richmond, Virginia said: I work at a large pulmonary physicians office. I do PFTs 8hrs/5days a week. How do you schedule your appointments? How much time do you put on a complete PFT, 1 hr, 30 min or what??? Hi sidell, I work in a Pulmonary Clinic within a Hospital where I perform full PFTs and VO2 Max Pulmonary Stress Test EKG/Treadmill Exercises, Oximetry EKG/Treadmill Exercises, which records SaO2s for Oxygen prescriptions, Cold Air Challenge, which checks for Exercise Induced Asthma and Altitude Studies, which simulates lower FIO2s at given altitudes(6,000 feet, 9,000 feet, etc.)while recording our lung compromised patients' lower SaO2s. If by complete PFT, you are referring to a Spirometry before and after bronchodilator treatment, you want to allow yourself at least 60 minutes(1 hour). If you mean a full Lung Function Profile which in our Pulmonary Function Lab includes Spirometry before and after bronchodilator treatment, a (DLCO)Diffusion Capacity, MIP and MEP, (N2 Washout)Nitrogen Washout and (BOX)Plethysmography with (Raw)Airway Resistance, you want to allow yourself at least 90 minutes(1 hour and 30 minutes). If it's simple Spirometry without bronchodilator, you want to allow yourself at least 30 minutes, as some patient testing can be very challenging. I hope this helps. I wish you well. Good journey. - Was this comment helpful? Yes (2) / No Reply - Report abuse
r sidell in Richmond, Virginia 40 months ago	Thanks Rolinda in San Diego. I have placed 1 hr and 15 mins. for CPFT (pre/post, LV and DLco) Just want to see what other lab did. Thanks again. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Nick in Coldwater, Ohio 40 months ago	I know medicare's reimbursement for these tests and the physician's reimbursement for the interpretation is much much higher for PFT's than 20 or 40 bucks being discussed here. Is the physician's office collecting these billable outpatient fees? Is there a way to cash in on insurance and medicare reimbursements if you make your own company? What would be required to be able to bill directly to medicare as a private pft lab? - Was this comment helpful? Yes (2) / No Reply - Report abuse
Gary Fields in Anniston, Alabama 36 months ago	What are physicians getting reimbursed for reading PFT's by Medicare? - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
T. W. T 28 months ago	Gary Fields in Anniston, Alabama said: What are physicians getting reimbursed for reading PFT's by Medicare? I would like to know the answer to the reimbursement for doc's on the interp on PFT's also. If anyone knows, please respond..thanks - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No (1) Reply - Report abuse
Brenda in Glen Burnie, Maryland 28 months ago	Hi, Go to the Medicare website and look up the Medicare fee schedule. You can find the reasonable and customary fees there. The interpretation and technical component are separate so you will be able to tell immediately. Generally the professional (Interpretation) component is about 40% of the total fee. Hope this helps. Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
waifungilism in Lake Worth, Florida 28 months ago	Hi Brenda, I am being mobilized with the Army to Walter Reed Army Hospital and was hoping to get in touch with you about starting my own PST lab. Let me know if you would be open to give me some pointers. Thank you in advance. waifungilism@gmail.com Brenda in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: Hi, Go to the Medicare website and look up the Medicare fee schedule. You can find the reasonable and customary fees there. The interpretation and technical component are separate so you will be able to tell immediately. Generally the professional (Interpretation) component is about 40% of the total fee. Hope this helps. Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
w8n2excel in Glen Burnie, Maryland 28 months ago	Sure, just email me with your contact info. I'd be happy to help. Brenda - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
PirateVoice in Hopkinsville, Kentucky 28 months ago	Who can interpret PFT's and Meth Challenges? - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
w8n2excel in Glen Burnie, Maryland 28 months ago	Insurance carriers pay for Physicians only to interpret PFTS, although they do not have to be Pulmonologist. Now you can make the interpretation yourself, some PFT software even interprets, but a physician must sign the interpretation. This is the only way to get paid for the professional component of the test. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Yami 26 months ago	w8n2excel in Glen Burnie, Maryland said: Sure, just email me with your contact info. I'd be happy to help. Brenda Hi Brenda, what licencure is requered to open a private Lab, if any. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Yami 26 months ago	Thanks Brenda, This definitly help. I appriciate it. I will definitly join the group. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
Charles in Washington, District of Columbia 23 months ago	Hello Brenda, I will like to me up with you to see if i could start A PFT lab here in Washington DC. I work for a major hospital here and know many Dr. am glad i found that you are very supporting here. Charles - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
confused in Baltimore, Maryland 12 months ago	Do you know if you need to be licensed / registered Respiratory Therapist in the State of Maryland to PERFORM PFT's in a pulmonary practice? Or can anyone PERFORM the test, as long as it is reviewed / interpreted by the physician? - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
rad in Saint Louis, Missouri 12 months ago	I am a respiratory therapist my self, I have 18 years experience, I want to invest and open a PFT lab associated with a pulmonologist, can any one suggest me how to start, what to do, please help. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No Reply - Report abuse
rad in Saint Louis, Missouri 12 months ago	how to start my own PFT lab, please help. - Was this comment helpful? Yes / No (1) Reply - Report abuse

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What should i charge for PFT's

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