Deposit

For a patient coming from abroad, the clinic reserves a doctor's time and a room, and often a hotel and transfers as well. A deposit turns the patient's decision into a commitment and softens the cost of last-minute cancellations. It can be a fixed sum or a percentage of the total, usually due a few days after acceptance.

Write down clearly, in the quote and the payment terms, whether the deposit is refunded on cancellation, until when, and what happens if treatment does not go ahead. If the patient pays by bank transfer, asking for the receipt and checking the money against your statement is part of the job. Have your lawyer check that your terms comply with consumer law.