By Estelle Martin, MSHA, Innovative Healthcare Strategies
I think it’s fair to say that we all want to be treated well and feel cared for in all aspects of our lives. But it is an added bonus when we can experience this at our medical appointments. The relaxing atmosphere, the friendly receptionist that knows your name, the warming smile you see when you enter the office, and the personal attention you feel from the staff throughout your visit are becoming more difficult for practices to maintain. This is partially due to changes in healthcare laws which often require medical practices to accept more and more insurance plans that provide reimbursement at levels far less than the actual cost of the services.
Just like most people must adjust their personal budget when income falls or costs rise, medical offices must also adapt. Some may choose to spend less time with each patient, thus increasing the bottom line. Others may choose to become part of a larger company or organization as the size of scale can be more cost effective. Still others are choosing to provide more services to their patients as a way to not only control costs, but to continue providing the very best care for their patients.
In recent years, physicians have been able to add ancillary services such as dispensing medication and providing lab and x-ray services right in the office at the same time as your appointment. This provides patients added convenience and immediate attention. For example, many times, a patient is prescribed a medication at their visit and then has to drive to the pharmacy and wait for the prescription to be filled. Patients appreciate being able to leave their appointment with their medication in hand. If a patient needs lab services such as blood drawn, it’s much easier and convenient to have this done at the same time as your appointment instead of going to a different place at a different time to get the work done, then having that sent to the requesting physician. From the physician’s perspective, these types of
In many cases, ancillary services can provide patients with a one-stop-shop to healthcare. I truly appreciate my physician’s office being able to provide me with as many services as possible before I walk out the door, not only for convenience, but also for the personal attention I feel I’m getting. The personal attention from a private practice and the added bonus of ancillary services provides a recipe to success on both ends of the spectrum.
If you are a medical office interested in adding ancillary revenue services, please contact Innovative Healthcare Strategies at info@ihsprogroup.com or by phone at 877-352-4298.
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