Offer patients appointment reminders through their preferred communication channels
Some patients will prefer the traditional approach of receiving phone calls reminding them about an upcoming appointment. However, for others who are on the go and accustomed to digital communication, you can offer them reminders by text message or email, with information protected according to HIPAA regulations. By making it easier to receive reminders, you can reduce no-shows and missed appointments.
In rare situations where you might need to close your offices due to unforeseen circumstances, such as terrible weather or a natural disaster, you can use these various communications channels to quickly notify all patients about your situation instead of making them disappointed to encounter a locked door and empty building.
Facilitate patient onboarding with improved practice management software
Use modern practice management software for easier patient onboarding. The software should let you capture patient demographics to create medical profiles as you set up the first appointment. Speedier onboarding allows for easier check-ins. What’s more, this patient information should connect to your electronic health record software, helping staff work more efficiently.
Give patients a telemedicine option
The coronavirus pandemic opened many people’s eyes to the possibility of visiting their doctors through virtual encounters using telemedicine systems instead of coming to a physical office. Choose a software solution for your practice that offers a telemedicine option. Your doctors and nurses can communicate through video, safely and securely, in compliance with HIPAA rules.
Patients who can communicate with staff via telemedicine will remain engaged with your practice and feel more satisfied with the service you provide. This is particularly useful for patients in rural areas who would have to travel long distances to see you in person, or when it would be inconvenient for them to take time off from work or school.
Activate a patient portal for online access to your practice
Enable your patients to sign into a digital patient portal on their phone, tablet or computer. This should allow them to check their medical records, manage upcoming appointments, and more.
A portal should allow direct communication to your staff, which is much more convenient and efficient than patients having to call and wait on hold until a member of your team can answer. It will be easier for your team to reply to messages rather than needing to call patients, hoping they will be available to answer the phone.
Communication advantages of patient portals that will be appreciated also include the ability to view test results and request refills or reauthorization of prescription medications 24/7.
Provide a digital check-in experience inside the office
Your patients are already accustomed to filling out digital forms on websites, so why force them to fill out a stack of papers on a clipboard by hand? Instead, offer them a check-in portal in the form of a kiosk or tablet, to streamline the process. Your support staff will no longer have to type this information into the system from paper forms, which takes time and can result in errors during transcription.
Make it easier to pay bills
To improve the flow of revenue in your practice, it’s in your best interest to make it easier for patients to pay their bills. Select practice management software that enables more straightforward billing and claims management.
Use the PM system to capture patients’ insurance information. This enables you to verify their coverage and then file claims immediately after the encounter. The PM solution should allow for electronic billing (as well as paper statements if patients desire bills in physical form).
Patients who routinely use their mobile devices and computers to pay bills are trying to streamline their lives by avoiding paper statements. You can make things easier on them with your PM’s system’s integration with online bill payments.
Ideally, your PM system will integrate with a clearinghouse to file clean claims faster, which leads to quicker reimbursement. If your billing department has questions, they can view the status of outstanding claims with private insurers, Medicaid and Medicare, or other types of payers through PM software.
