Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2015-11-27, 10:57:35 | version 1.38.0
Part 3 of 3 By Denise Ciardello Easy Dental Trainer and Co-Founder, Global Team Solutions consulting firm n When I go into practices to triage their business emergencies, I often find the answers are simpler than many thought possible. I have writ- ten an eBook with five things you can start doing today to have the most productive and efficient practice. In Part 1, in Thursday’s issue of today, we discussed making a personal con- nection. In Part 2, we learned about the three Rs. See your financial big picture Your practice’s financial health all begins with your financial policy. It’s deceptively simple but consider what you gain when these expectations are set up front: • When patients will pay their portion. • Methods of payment your office accepts. • Explanation of any in-house pay- ment plan. • Details of third-party patient financing, such as CITI Health Card, CareCredit, etc. Many of your financial headaches come from trying to resolve issues stemming from your expectations that, for whatever reason, may not have been clear to patients when they received treatment. Going over your financial policy with patients before doing any work will greatly ease these administra- tive headaches. Take a minute to help patients understand By giving the patients a general idea ofwhatprocedureswillbecoveredby their insurance and at what percent- age, they’ll know better how to use their benefits intelligently. Then they will understand how and when they are expected to provide payment to you themselves. Have the financial discussions first Beforeyouevenscheduleanyappoint- ments for planned treatment where payment will need to come from both thepatientandinsurance,youneedto discuss with patients how much and when they are going to pay. This is true even in case of emer- gency treatments. Discuss pay- ment before emergency patients are numbed up, so they can make an informed decision about what they are able to pay for and then offer them only those services. If the doctor is in the middle of treatment and the treatment plan changes, it can be hard to stop and consider the financial aspects, but if possible, find a place to pause and let the financial coordinator come in and give the patient a quick update. I recommendtheassistantbeincharge of reminding the doctor, with a cue such as, “Doctor, do we need to have Betty come in and give Mrs. Gonzalez an update on how the insurance may change at this point?” The bottom line is that having these financial conversations before treatmentwillpreventawkwardness, unwanted surprises and any hard feelings afterward, so your patients will leave satisfied and happy to come back. Find these tips and more when you download my free eBook at www. easydental.com/ada. exhibitors10 ADA 2015 — November 7, 2015 5 ways to increase practice productivity Ad 5 Denise Ciardello Here at the ADA Great practice-management software doesn’t have to be complicated! Come visit Henry Schein Practice Solutions at booth No. 2013 to discover your simple solution. With the easiest, most affordablesolution,HenryScheinEasy Dental is designed to streamline and automate processes and daily opera- tionssoyoucanfocusonyourpractice. 5 (Photos/Provided by Henry Schein Practice Solutions)