Work physicals, drug screens and other employer services as separate fees

Once an employer knows you, it will ask for more: pre-employment physicals, drug screens, return-to-work notes, DOT exams. These are services for the employer, not care for a member. Price each one, bill it separately and keep it off the membership line.

Common requests

• Pre-employment physicals.
• Drug and alcohol screens.
• DOT physicals for drivers. These must be done by a certified medical examiner listed on the federal registry.
• Return-to-work and fitness-for-duty notes.

Why keep them separate

• The person may not be a member yet, as with a new hire.
• The report goes to the employer, so ask your attorney which privacy rules and consent forms apply.
• Your time for these visits isn't covered by the membership fee.

Work injuries are different again

An injury on the job may go through workers' compensation, a separate system with its own rules and payers. Ask your attorney how your state handles it before you agree to see work injuries.

Price each service

List each service with a flat fee, plus any lab or outside cost. In a made-up example, a pre-employment physical at $95 and a drug screen at the lab's cost plus $25. Put the price list in the contract or an addendum.

In your books

Record these fees in their own revenue account, separate from membership, and bill them on their own invoice lines. More on adding services beyond membership.

What I'd do this week

• List the services employers have asked for.
• Set a price for each one.
• Ask your bookkeeper for an occupational services revenue account.

Common questions

Can I do drug screens in the office?
Ask your attorney and your lab what you can do in the office, since the rules depend on the type of screen.

Should members get a discount on these?
Your choice. The employer pays, so you may want to charge the same rate.

Do these services need their own consent form?
Ask your attorney, since results go to the employer. Ask your attorney for the right form.