Doctors' Fees

Of course doctors' fees varied greatly in early America, just like they do today. To the people then, the charges were just as expensive as they are today, and they didn't have health insurance. People in the cities generally had to pay more than those living in the country. This makes little sense considering the rural doctors had to travel farther to see patients, which took more of their time, and they had less competition. Some doctors did charge an extra fee for the miles they had to travel.

There were boards that set fee guidelines, but each doctor set his own prices. Here are some fees for a city and a rural area from 1835-1845, which will give some idea of the charges. They are not exact, because, remember, they would vary from state to state and from eastern locations and more western locations within a state.

          

                  
                                                 City          Rural
Advice given in office           $1-10           .50   
Close house call                     $1-2             .50
Night house call                     $5-10           .75
Vaccination                            $5                 $1
Birth                                        $10-30         $4
Bone set                                  $5-10            $2-8
Minor operations                   $25-100      $20
Per mile of travel to home    $1                .50        

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