Medi-Spas at Your Doctor's Office!?

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Like everyone, I get unsolicited emails for unsolicited services. I’ve noticed that lately I’m getting more and more emails from legitimate medical practices that are now offering “medi-spa” or cosmetic procedures in addition to their medical services. For instance, a very well regarded OB/GYN practice locally now offers “sculpturing,” medically supervised weight loss, and other elective medi-spa procedures. They advertise heavily on TV and radio and strongly emphasize the stellar reputation of the practice and blend it with their medical abilities.

Medical care is a business. Even though many practices are labelled “not for profit” it doesn’t mean they don’t make money. Staff has to be paid, building maintained and all infrastructure costs covered. Declining insurance reimbursement has resulted in less revenue. So, in this era of medicine-is-a-business, how do we increase our revenue? Are medi-spas the answer?

There are multiple venues for medi-spas including free-standing, affiliated with a dermatology or plastic surgery practice or affiliated with a medical practice. The legalities of medi-spas vary from state to state. In some states, medi-spas must be 100% owned by a physician and the physician must be well versed in the procedures being performed.

The Academy of Dermatology has come out with a position paper on medi-spas:

Quote

“Medical spas are facilities that offer a range of services, including medical and surgical procedures, for the purpose of improving an individual’s well-being and/or appearance. The distinguishing feature of medical spas is that medicine and surgery are practiced in a nontraditional setting.

Procedures by any means, methods, devices, or instruments that can alter or cause biologic change or damage the skin and subcutaneous tissue constitute the practice of medicine and surgery. These include but are not limited to the use of: scalpels; all lasers and light sources, microwave energy, electrical impulses, and all other energy emitting devices; thermal destruction; chemical application; particle sanding; and other foreign or natural substances by injection or insertion.

Any procedure that constitutes the practice of medicine, including but not limited to any procedure using a Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-cleared or regulated device that can alter or cause biologic change or damage, should be performed only by an appropriately-trained physician or appropriately-trained non-physician personnel under the direct, on-site supervision of an appropriately-trained physician in accordance with applicable local, state, or federal laws and regulations.”

Few medi-spa treatments are covered by health insurance. However, there might be some limited coverage for weight loss products as this reduces healthcare costs for the insurance company. Some other diagnoses that might be covered by traditional health insurance includes treatment of acne scars, rosacea, and acne treatment. Other procedures and treatments may be covered on a case by case basis. However, traditional healthcare insurance does not usually cover cosmetic or elective medi-spa procedures.

Should medical practices add medi-spa services in order to increase income? Does this legitimize medi-spas in the consumer’s mind? When we go to our physician’s practice for a follow up for hypertension or diabetes do we expect to encounter brochures on the counter advertising weight loss products, laser hair removal or botox? Do we take these advertisements as tacit approval of the treatment by our medical provider? After all, this is being offered at our trusted professional’s office. The glitzy brochures certainly entice patients to consider non-medical care. Is this a positive? Or are we offering what the public demands?

What will our medical providers offer next?

References:

American Academy of Dermatology

The Medical Spa: Pros, Cons and Legalities

Top 4 Medical Spa Treatments that Insurance Might Cover

[LibraSunCNM, BSN, MSN, CNM]

It's crazy, right? I'm a CNM and have noticed a lot of OB-GYN practices offering medical spa services. I'm sure it's primarily to raise revenue because OB isn't a moneymaker. I feel like it illustrates how far gone our healthcare system has spiraled, that these are the lengths one has to go to in order to keep a practice afloat in a cutthroat for-profit system. But that's just one hippie midwife's opinion! ?

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

41 minutes ago, LibraSunCNM said:

It's crazy, right? I'm a CNM and have noticed a lot of OB-GYN practices offering medical spa services. I'm sure it's primarily to raise revenue because OB isn't a moneymaker. I feel like it illustrates how far gone our healthcare system has spiraled, that these are the lengths one has to go to in order to keep a practice afloat in a cutthroat for-profit system. But that's just one hippie midwife's opinion! ?

Couldn't say it better myself. On the plus side, you're getting your procedure with a provider whom you trust and you're likely to get follow-up if needed. Also the provider gets an influx of cash.

[NurseKitty83]

Following

[brandy1017, ASN, RN]

I've used a medispa myself for both medical and cosmetic reasons that was attached to a major medical center. I would not go to a medispa that was run by an OB Dr. I believe medispas are a better alternative than regular spas. I feel I'm getting safer, better care. I believe only those doctors that are working in the industry such as dermatologists or plastic surgeons should be running one. I've read other doctors have received quickie training to do procedures to make more money. I would not go to just any Dr. Although many of the procedures at a medispa can be done by a trained tech, aesthetician or nurse.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Do you think having a Medi spa at your regular medical providers office cheapens your medical care?

For instance you go to your provider for a follow up and when you go to the desk for your co pay you are told about all the new services they offer?

[Sour Lemon]

1 hour ago, traumaRUs said:

Do you think having a Medi spa at your regular medical providers office cheapens your medical care?

For instance you go to your provider for a follow up and when you go to the desk fir your co pay you are told about all the new services they offer?

That would be a huge turn off to me.

[Slipping CMA]

I used to work at a doctors office that offered cool sculpting, laser hair removal, and other services. Us MA’s would do the cool sculpting, and laser stuff. I was trained but one MA had the laser to hot for the pt skin tone and she burned her. I personally don’t think anyone should be using this equipment with one day of training.

I am a well trained CMA who does take her job seriously and that’s why I don’t think we should be using some of the equipment we are allowed to use with so little training.

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

The advertising is what is a turn off to me.

[subee, MSN, CRNA]

Labiaplasty....the procedures MD's invent that no one needs! No end to the greed. I'd find another doctor advertising spa treatments. I worked with a very young OB GYN who left her practice to do laser treatment only. What a waste! One plastics guy tried to convince me that tongue forking is a "service" he would be happy to provide.

[Emergent, RN]

It sounds like a good idea to me. It'd be great if they also included non-traditional medicine and therapies.

I'd like standard medicine to become more holistic. This sounds like a start.

[LovingLife123]

I wish my OB would offer something like this personally. As I’m already an established pt and they know my history, adding these services on seems great.

Now, if you’re adding in the hospital itself, like the ER or say cardiac floor, I might side eye it, but at an outpatient OB, office, seems logical.

I would love to have sculpting done. Losing the baby weight has been rough.