Brenda Carroll wrote:  I am currently attempting to set up a fair and
appropriate fee structure that will take into account my travel expenses and
be commensurate with what others in my area are charging and my level of
experience.  

 

Brenda - I can tell you that the fees you listed sounded very low to me.  It
may be that I live in a more expensive part of the US.  Many years ago, I
was told at a BF conference that a fair fee would be to charge what an auto
mechanic in my area charges to fix my car.  That would be about $85 per
HOUR, not per visit.  Most home visits take about 3 hours.  That seemed to
be too expensive for the families that I work with, so I charged a lower
fee/hour.  Isn't "fixing" breastfeeding more important than fixing a car?
Most families agree that putting it that way puts things into perspective,
especially when you think of how much it would cost, not only in dollars but
also in ill health, if the baby was not breastfed.

I also looked at what a local pediatrician charged for checking a baby at
home after a homebirth (I was present as an LC); he charged $400 for a visit
that took about 15 minutes plus a total of 30 minutes for traveling.  The
parents were stunned because they were not told ahead of time what it would
cost.  That is why I always go over my fees before I make a home visit.  The
families do pay the fee but it would certainly help if health insurance
would partially cover the LC fees.  Those rare families that cannot afford a
home visit will go to an LC at the local hospital or an LC at a WIC program
(a federally subsidized nutrition program for women, infants, and children).
There is help for those who seek it.

Remember that in addition to your time at the home, you will also be
spending a lot of time in follow-up phone help; and consider your expenses
for BF education (workshops, conferences, and books), exam fees, liability
insurance, car maintenance, etc.  The auto mechanics do not have most of
those expenses.

Best wishes,

Lee Galasso, MS, LLLL, IBCLC, RLC

Westchester County in NYS, USA

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"Children Are Born with the Right to Breastfeed"

 


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