| Today's medical office is caught between two | | | | Remind Patients About Their Appointments |
| opposing forces. The rising costs of operating a | | | | One big item that looses you income is no shows. |
| medical office and the pressure from insurance | | | | We live in a hectic world with things demanding |
| companies to deliver services at a lower cost. | | | | our attention from all sides so it isn't surprising |
| Somewhere in between are your patients trying | | | | that many times people forget about |
| to stay healthy. | | | | appointments that they have made. |
| If your office is to survive and prosper you need | | | | It's not unusual for a typical office to experience |
| to make sure that you are operating it as | | | | between 5 and 18% no shows. This is money |
| efficiently as possible. One way to do so is by | | | | that is coming directly out of your bottom line. |
| using a virtual receptionist. This type of web | | | | But it also affects your patient care. If someone |
| based program can help your staff be more | | | | sets up an appointment with you they are trying |
| efficient, offer your patients a valuable service | | | | to solve a problem. They are probably as |
| and pay for themselves in cost savings. | | | | annoyed as you are when they realize they |
| What Is A Virtual Receptionist? | | | | missed an appointment. |
| Think answering machine on steroids. Based on | | | | Using a virtual office assistant you can make |
| the Internet there are numerous things that one | | | | reminder calls. But more than just calls you can |
| of these services can do for you that will make | | | | send out e-mails and text messages to your |
| your office run smoothly. | | | | patients. This allows you to use whatever form of |
| Answer The Phone | | | | communication the patient desires. |
| How often does the phone ring and your | | | | Canceling Appointments |
| receptionist have to drop what they are doing | | | | A recent survey found that one reason people |
| and run across the office to answer it? Using one | | | | avoided canceling appointments was because they |
| of these automated services your calls can be | | | | didn't want to get yelled at by the receptionist. By |
| forwarded and answered after a specific number | | | | making it easier for those patients that need to |
| of rings. | | | | cancel an appointment, it allows you time to fill |
| What about after hours, over night, during lunch | | | | that time slot. |
| breaks. Your phone can be answered 24/7. | | | | Creating a priority list of people who are willing to |
| Set Appointments | | | | come in on short notice will not only keep your |
| One of the best benefits of these services | | | | schedule filled but will also allow you to deliver |
| though is the fact that unlike an answering | | | | better care to your patients. |
| machine they can set, change or cancel | | | | Bottom Line |
| appointments. Your patients will appreciate the | | | | A virtual office receptionist has a lot of benefits |
| ability to set appointments any time of the day, | | | | for you and your patients. It will allow you and |
| whether your office is open or closed. They can | | | | your staff to be as efficient as possible while still |
| even do this on-line. | | | | increasing the quality of your patient service. |