TL;DR / Quick Answer: A flat-rate medical waste contract provides a defined price for an agreed level of service, while a contract with additional or separate fees may charge extra for items such as containers, pickups, manifests, environmental fees, or payment processing. San Diego clinics should compare the annual all-in cost, including recurring and variable charges, rather than choosing a provider based only on the advertised monthly rate. What Is a Flat-Rate Medical Wast