You just had IV therapy and are wondering about tipping. We've got the answers. This article will tell you if you tip for IV therapy and how much is right.
Tipping for IV therapy services is not standard practice, as it is a medical treatment. However, some mobile IV therapy providers accept tips, and if you wish to tip for exceptional service, an amount similar to what you might give a massage therapist—10% to 20% of the service cost—could be considered appropriate.
Tipping Customs
Tipping not customary
Summary
Consider tipping as a way to express gratitude for exceptional IV therapy services.
Tipping is not mandatory but can be offered for personalized and attentive care.
Avoid tipping in situations where it's not customary or might be considered inappropriate for medical services.
When receiving IV therapy, you might wonder if the customary expressions of gratitude through tipping apply as they do in other service areas.
What Do Other People Typically Tip?
Typical Tipping Amounts: While tipping is common in various personal services, IV therapy does not traditionally fall under services that require a tip. However, if you feel inclined to offer a token of appreciation for exceptional service, it’s not unheard of to tip.
Expectations in Different Settings: In a medical or clinical environment, tipping is not customary and is typically not expected. Conversely, in a spa or beauty setting where IV treatments might be offered as part of the wellness experience, a tip could be more in line with social norms, akin to tipping for personal services like hair or beauty treatments.
Other Things You Could Do Or Give
Verbal Appreciation or Reviews: A heartfelt thank you or a positive online review is always appreciated by professionals and can often hold as much value as a monetary tip.
Referrals: Recommending their service to friends and family is a significant way of showing your support and appreciation for their work.
Remember, expressions of gratitude, whether through tipping, kind words, or referrals, are at your discretion and reflective of your satisfaction with the service provided.
When To Tip
When you receive IV therapy, tipping isn't typically expected, but it can be a way to show appreciation for exceptional service. Consider these factors:
Service Quality: If the healthcare professional went above and beyond in providing care, such as offering additional comfort measures or exceptional bedside manner, a tip can reflect your gratitude.
Hospitality: In some wellness clinics offering elective IV services, the atmosphere may resemble a spa. Here, if you feel the level of hospitality warrants it, tipping could be appropriate.
Customer Service: Exceptional communication, attention to detail, and care from your IV therapist might influence your decision.
Points to Remember:
Tipping is not standard in medical settings but can be considered in elective wellness clinics.
Reflect on the level of personal care provided when deciding to tip.
A cash tip is generally preferred, although some clinics might have alternative tipping policies.
Use this table as a quick reference:
Service Aspect
Consider Tipping?
Above-average care
Yes, if inclined
Standard treatment
Not expected
Subpar experience
No, address concerns
Your discretion is valuable, and tipping should align with your feelings about the care received. Remember, a heartfelt thank you or a positive review can also go a long way in showing your appreciation.
When Not To Tip
In the context of IV therapy, you might wonder about the appropriate tipping behavior. Given that IV therapy is a health service, it’s essential to navigate tipping etiquette carefully.
Medical Nature: Services like IV hydration fall under medical treatments, which typically don’t expect gratuities.
Professional Expectations: Unlike spa treatments or salon services where tipping is customary, the professionals providing IV therapy are often medical personnel for whom tipping is not standard practice.
Custom and Comfort
If customer satisfaction is high, you might feel inclined to tip as a gesture of gratitude. However, consider that some professionals in the health care field might actually be uncomfortable accepting tips due to the ethical guidelines of their profession.
Service Expectations: When your service aligns with clinical care and therapeutic outcomes, the transaction is understood to be complete with your payment for the IV therapy session itself.
Tipping Alternatives: If you feel highly satisfied and wish to express thanks, consider a genuine verbal appreciation or an online review, which are valuable to professionals and align with the health care service context.
🚫 Inappropriate Situations:
During a medical evaluation or treatment
When interacting with medical staff who are providing clinical care
If it compromises the ethical boundaries of the patient-provider relationship
What IV Therapists Expect Themselves
When you're considering tipping for IV therapy services, understanding the professionals' perspective is crucial. It’s important to know about their income and dependency on tips.
What Do They Make?
The earnings of IV therapy professionals can vary based on location, job setting, and experience. They generally receive an hourly wage or salary for their services, but this income:
Hourly/Salary Ranges: They may earn an hourly range from $15 to $30 or a salary that can be anywhere between $30,000 to $70,000 annually.
Variance Factors: The figures change based on geographical location, type of employer, and the individual’s level of experience and certifications.
Are They Dependant On Tips?
Not Typically Tip-Dependent: Unlike some service industry professions, IV therapy professionals do not usually rely on tips as a major part of their income.
Gratuity Appreciation: Tips are often seen as a token of appreciation for exceptional service. While not expected, if you feel the service exceeded your expectations, a tip can be a way to express satisfaction.
Unique Tipping Circumstances
When considering tipping for IV therapy services, there are specific occasions where your gratuity may differ from typical expectations.
Tipping During Holidays, Peak Times, Or Special Events
Holidays: It's common to offer a little extra as a holiday tipping gesture to show appreciation for the professionals who provide you with IV therapy during these busy times.
Thanksgiving: Increase your standard tip to show gratitude.
Christmas: A bonus tip or a small gift can be a warm gesture.
Occasion
Suggested Tip Increase
Christmas Eve
10-15%
New Year's Day
10-15%
Peak Times: If you're receiving IV therapy during very busy periods, consider rewarding the professional for their extended hours and hard work.
End of Year: Health services often see a surge as people use up their benefits.
Health Events: During wellness events or health awareness months, tip etiquette may vary.
Special Events: When you have an IV therapy appointment that coincides with a special event, such as a marathon or a community wellness day, it's thoughtful to adjust your tip accordingly.
Event Days: If they’ve gone above and beyond during an event, acknowledging their effort is kind.
Remember, these gestures are not mandatory but can be a meaningful way to show appreciation to your IV therapy professional during special times of the year.
