Now more than ever, clinics need to focus on patient service and consumerism. Administrators know that deductibles are high after the start of the new year, patients are especially concerned with costs and the effectiveness of service. New and current patients alike will be asking questions about the price of your services, how insurance applies, and any co-pays they might have to pay upfront. Staff need to be proactive in addressing these questions.Additionally, as a lot of new online resources for price-checking have been emerging, patients are able to get a rough idea of pricing for the area’s medical procedures and services. However, patients have more than just the price to consider when choosing; such as, whether the clinic is in their insurance network and the clinic’s overall reputation for service and convenience. If it comes down to a couple clinics in their network with similar pricing, then they will want a clinic that has a good reputation and patient-centered technology.
A few other tips:
- An excellent patient experience is one of the best ways to support your need for more word-of-mouth referrals. Your front staff should be prepared to troubleshoot issues expertly and show great service to your patients. Have sheets with FAQ questions on them so all staff is on the same page.
- If you haven’t already, embrace the new technology available to medical clinics. Things like online payment, online scheduling, and having a patient portal puts you a step above other clinics. Patients appreciate convenience and going online is the best way to do that.
- Spruce up your clinic’s space with some comfortable furniture and a private place to collect patient demographic information. Calming colors like blue and green are always ideal for a place where patients could be coming in concerned about their health.
Overall, if your clinic needs some improvements, set those goals now to get the ball rolling. Outsource Receivables Inc. can help improve your revenue cycle if that’s been a struggle for your clinic, and we can also demo software that streamlines your billing and online payment system.