Work out the real cost
For an average home visit, add the treatment time, the travel time there and back, and car costs. Compare that with your clinic fee for the same hour. The difference is what your home visit price needs to cover.
Three common ways to price
- A flat home visit fee, higher than the clinic fee, covering typical travel in your area. Simple for patients.
- Zones: a standard fee within your core area and a higher fee further out.
- Per-minute billing, where the fee follows the actual length. In Clinidiary a service can charge by the minute, and travel can be a separate service on the same invoice.
Count travel accurately
Travel varies by house: one patient is ten minutes away, the next twenty. In Clinidiary each home visit booking can carry its own travel time there and back, so the diary reflects reality. See home visits.
Funded patients
Funders often have their own rules on travel. NDIS, DVA and aged care arrangements each set what travel can be claimed, so check the current rules for each before you quote.
Explain it plainly
"Our home visit fee includes travel within the area. Further out, there is an additional travel charge." Patients understand that a physio coming to them costs more.
Review it yearly
Fuel and car costs change. Review home visit pricing with your other fees. See raising your fees.
Price, routes and caseload go together. See how mobile physios manage their caseload and planning home visit routes.
Frequently asked questions
Should home visits cost more than clinic visits?
Usually yes, because the price must cover travel time and car costs as well as treatment.
How do physios charge for travel?
With a flat home visit fee, zone-based fees, or a separate travel charge.
Can travel be claimed for funded patients?
Some funders allow travel claims under specific rules. Check each funder's current guidelines.