If Your Rates Aren’t Sustainable, Your Business Isn’t Either
Hey there,
You became an NP to help people, but that doesn’t mean you should work for free (or burn yourself out undercharging).
Profit isn’t greedy — it’s essential for sustainability.
Here’s how to price with clarity and confidence:
Step 1: Reverse-Engineer Your Income Goals
Want to take home $120K/year? Great — now factor in taxes (~30%), time off, and business expenses.
Let’s say:
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Desired net income = $120,000
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Add 30% for taxes = $171,000
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Add $24,000 for annual overhead = $195,000
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You’ll work 48 weeks/year, seeing patients 25 hrs/week
👉 That means you need to make $162.50/hour in revenue just to break even.
Set your rates accordingly — or you’ll always be behind.
đź“ť Action Step: Use our free Rate Setting Worksheet (click to download) to plug in your own numbers and see exactly what you should charge.
Step 2: Decide on Your Business Model
Are you cash-pay, insurance-based, or hybrid?
Each has pros and cons.
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Cash-pay = less red tape, faster pay, but may limit patient access
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Insurance = wider reach, but delayed reimbursement and more overhead
📝 Action Step: Pick one for now — you can always adjust. Clarity = confidence.
Step 3: Align Your Rates with Your Brand
Premium service? Premium price.
Don’t apologize for delivering high-value care with more access, shorter wait times, and deeper connections.
Your rates should reflect value — not just time. Just make sure you're fees are in line with your specialty. Consider no show fees, form fees, etc.
đź“ť Action Step: Write down 3 things your patients love about working with you. Use these in your pricing conversations.
Final Thought:
Your business should fuel your life, not deplete it. Charge in alignment with your worth and your well-being.
I can’t wait to see what you do next,
Erica Hand
Empowering NPs to achieve freedom, flexibility, and financial success.
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