If you’re wondering how to reduce no show appointments, you’re likely not alone. Patient no-shows and late cancellations can be costly for medical practitioners. A Medical Group Management Association® (MGMA) study estimates that 12 percent of all daily appointments are either no-shows or late cancellations. When considering lost physician time, labor to schedule and reschedule appointments, and the cost of handling paperwork, a single physician could lose more than $150,000 each year.
Don’t miss out. Deliver appointment reminders that work!
How to reduce no show appointments.
Confirm appointments
According to the Medical Practice Insider study linked to above, patients are five times more likely to show up for a scheduled appointment if they receive a poll on their preferred method of communication (text, email or phone call). For best results, send a confirmation when an appointment is scheduled, and send a reminder 24 to 48 hours before the scheduled time.
Reduce lead times
Booking appointments far in advance increases the likelihood that a patient will forget and be a no-show. According to the Medical Practice Insider study linked to above, no-shows for same-day appointments are 50 percent less than appointments made three weeks in advance. It could be beneficial to avoid scheduling wellness exams a year in advance. Instead, offer to contact the patient closer to when their yearly exam would be due to set. Mail a magnet postcard, imprinted with contact details, reminding patients to schedule their exam. Follow up with those who don’t make an appointment with a text, email or phone call.
Provide tangibles
Provide a tangible way for patients to remember their appointment. A repositionable appointment card easily attaches to a date book, calendar or refrigerator. Or jot down appointment times and dates on a logo’d Mini Memo Magnet that can be used by patients again and again.
Foster loyalty
Patients who don’t feel a connection or sense of loyalty to their healthcare provider may be less likely to keep appointments. This is especially true for younger generations. Millennials are 24 percent less likely to have a primary care practitioner than older generations. Healthcare providers can foster loyalty by building relationships—learn the art of asking questions, develop good listening skills, involve patients in their care and provide personal touches. Birthday greetings, get well soon cards and notes of congratulations, when appropriate, are great ways to add a personal touch to your interactions.
Thank those who show
Encourage desired behavior through positive reinforcement. Thank those who do show for appointments with a dual-purpose gift, such as the Scrubs Jr. Padfolio Set. It shows your gratitude while helping patients keep track of appointment cards and notes.
Keep a will-call list
No matter what, you’ll always have a few lost or cancelled appointments due to the unexpected. Fill those time slots quickly by keeping a will-call list of patients able to come in on short notice. It’s a win-win!
Make it easy for your patients to keep their appointments with these simple tips: confirm scheduled appointments, reduce lead times, provide tangible reminders, foster loyalty, reward do-shows and fill in missed appointments with a will-call list. No-show appointments will soon be a thing of the past.