The AcuGraph Report—What’s it worth? 5/5 (49)

Practitioners ask me all the time how much I charge the patient to graph them and hand them a diagnostic report. It’s a great question. I know there are some practitioners who charge the patient separately for the graph and report, and I’ve heard of charging anywhere between $15 and $50. However, I don’t charge my patients for their report. Let me tell you why.

1. AcuGraph Gives ME More Options.

I have several approaches that contribute to my diagnosis: tongue, pulse, channel palpation, hara examination, Q & A, facial examination, AND AcuGraph. I choose which approach I want to use, based on the patient’s chief complaint.

It’s not up to my patient to decide which diagnostic tools I will use. I don’t want the patient to “choose” not to have AcuGraph as part of my approach. Therefore, I just make sure the cost of my treatment automatically includes an AcuGraph report. So “technically” my patients are paying for it. I just don’t charge them an extra fee! This way, I’m free to use AcuGraph whenever I feel it is appropriate, without the patient potentially declining due to cost.

Of course, having AcuGraph at my disposal adds more value to my patient visits, and I make sure that value is reflected in my pricing. Consider the effect of even a modest, $5 price increase:

Is it time for a $5 price increase? You more than justify the cost of AcuGraph in your clinic if you think about it this way. It’s a no-brainer, right?

2. AcuGraph is fantastic for patient education.

I use AcuGraph to educate my patients about acupuncture. When acupuncture pathways are running at optimum capacity, we can resolve symptoms. It’s really that simple. AcuGraph is perfect for helping patients to understand my goals so they can commit to treatment and complete their treatment plans. Patients love it when I teach them about channel pathways, and the end result is more compliant patients, more patient visits, and greater patient retention.

3. AcuGraph generates income.

The best way to explain this concept is to share a personal clinical experience. (One that happens in my office over and over again…)

Handing your patient an AcuGraph report on the first visit is invaluable. In fact, it’s GOLD! Every new patient who walks out of my clinic gets a printed first visit report with a customized cover letter that includes information about me and my clinic. I paperclip 3 business cards to the front of the report and give my patient a little homework. Here’s the assignment I give:

• Read the report.
• Recognize that you won’t have ALL of the symptoms  listed in the Meridian Analysis Information, but it will help you to recognize problems that can exist in the future when imbalances in these particular meridians stay in the body over the long term.
• Circle the symptoms that are related to you so we can talk about them on your next visit.

Here’s a quote from a patient I had just last week…

“I read the report and loved it. I took it over to my mom and made her read it too. She thinks you can help her. She is going to book an appointment, I especially liked the emotional aspect of the report.”

So there you have it. The AcuGraph patient report brings in a continuous flow of new patient referrals. I’ve been averaging 2 new patients per week since the beginning of the year. In my office a new patient books a minimum of 4 visits to decide whether or not acupuncture is the right course of treatment for their chief complaint. Do the math on that… For me, it’s about $3000 of income per month for new patients alone!

Now, of course running an acupuncture practice is about more than just money. But if you can’t make a living from your practice, you can’t help anyone! On the other hand, if your practice is providing enough and to spare, you have freedom to help all the patients you can–even the occasional patient who can’t pay. That’s a win for everyone!

AcuGraph is part of the solid financial foundation of any acupuncture practice. Do you have AcuGraph? Are you utilizing the printed AcuGraph report? If not, I’d suggest you consider the golden opportunity that awaits you! Click here to learn more about AcuGraph.

~Kimberly

Kimberly Thompson, L.Ac.

Acupuncture Research Analyst
Miridia Technology
kimberly@miridiatech.com
@acukimberly