Friday’s Patient Tip of the Day – Week 1

Make a payment plan. Allowing patients to pay whenever they want is no way to run a business. All too often they’ll find excuses not to pay, from I forgot my checkbook to I don’t carry a credit card.

For efficient, effective collections, you must have a plan, said Lois Banta of Banta Consulting.

First, make sure you explain your fees and your financial policy to your patients before doing any dental treatment. Then make financial arrangements before treatment starts. And remember to follow through with whatever you promise, whether that’s collecting a past due balance, following up on an insurance claim or answering questions. This will help make patients feel understood and taken care of. And if they have all the information up front, they can make the right decision about the treatment they need and payment options.

Your patients are your practice. Without them, where would you be? You have to know the best ways to attract them to your practice, get them to accept treatment and make them happy, life-long patients.

That’s where we can help. Check back regularly for tips on how to keep your patients happy, healthy and loyal.