Hospitals, private practices and medical billing companies all struggle to get patients to pay on time. Often it’s a sensitive issue, because some patients can’t afford to pay their bill in full. Others question the bill itself — often they’re confused about the charges or how much they actually need to pay. Luckily, there are some revenue cycle solutions to help your patients through the process and keep the money coming in.
#1 Keep It Simple
It’s no secret that medical bills can be difficult to read and understand. To help the process along, you’ll want to use clear language and make sure your layout is designed for readability. The total cost and the itemized list of services should be easy to read and understand — and any unnecessary medical jargon should either be removed or explained.
#2 Give Them More Options
When patients feel like they can’t pay, or that it’s inconvenient or time-consuming, they’ll be less likely to follow through. That’s why it’s important to provide multiple payment options and payment plans. Payment plans make larger bills more manageable, while payment options give your customers the flexibility to pay their bills by mail, online or via smart phone app. Both can help jump-start your revenue cycle.
#3 FollowUp
There are certain things you can prevent. Forgetfulness isn’t one of them. That’s why it’s important to have a plan for how you’re going to followup when bills are sent out. The most effective communications reach the right people at the right time and in the right place. They also create a sense of urgency. Have a website? Create some cookied banners that remind patients to pay when they sign in. And don’t forget to followup the traditional way, with email, mail and text.
#4 Triggered Communications
Triggered communications often work best here because deciding when to send messages out, where, and how often, can be difficult to track and manage. That’s where a customer communications management platform like Expresso can come in handy. Once your communications are set-up and scheduled in the system, it’s almost a completely automated experience. All you have to do is log in to deploy your personalized communications with unique, targeted messaging. To find out more about Expresso, contact us or request a demo.