Education

When and Why Should Doctors Utilize Medical Office Answering Service?

Doctor

Doctor

Doctors are aware that phone calls are a very important part of their practice. From emergency calls to calls for appointment booking – none can be missed. What if there is an emergency? Phone calls are a lifeline for people – both patients and their families. What if you miss a call? Your patient might go to some other doctor, but there’s a possibility that they will not find another doctor.

Answering calls at all times is important, especially in hospitals and clinics. Your receptionist may not be able to stay in the clinic for too long, but there is a solution. Medical office answering services can help you with never-ending emergency calls. We’re not just talking about one call at a time,  medical answering service providers can help handle high-volume calls efficiently.

Whether it’s a small clinic or a large hospital, medical answering services are needed. Still not convinced? This article will highlight when and why doctors should opt for medical answering services.

Let’s find out!

Hiring More Receptionists Isn’t The Best Solution

Hiring more receptionists can help with high volume call receiving, but it is also costly and not as sustainable. When you hire a receptionist – they need a salary, and after a point, they also ask for hikes and time off now and then.

Relying on your staff for the after-hours call can be too much to ask for. They will need a weekend leave, and you don’t want them to burn out at the end of the week.

When you opt for medical answering services, you pay a fraction of the cost. Both staff members and doctors will be free from answering high-volume calls. The customer service provided for patients comes at a very low cost which is why every physician clinic and hospital should opt for it.

All the calls will be answered quickly, day or night. Even the callers don’t feel like they are talking to an unprofessional. These medical answering service executives are knowledgeable and know how to take care of every call as compassionately as possible.

The representatives direct the call to a nurse or a doctor when they think it’s required. If it’s not urgent, the representatives handle the call professionally but do not let the callers think they are alone.

When Should Hospitals Opt For Medical Answering Services?

Medical practices and doctors know when they need some extra helping hands. Most of them choose to outsource the calls to an answering machine, but they can’t take the risk of missing a medical emergency call. Whether it is the wee hours of the night or daytime, medical answering service representatives ensure that all calls are answered professionally.

There will be overflow calls, especially when the receptionist is busy on other calls. The call can be redirected to a medical answering service when the receptionist is busy.

Doctors who opt for medical answering services have the advantage of their calls being answered even after clinic hours. This will ensure that the callers are not on hold for too long.

Your staff can focus on important calls and patients rather than picking up every call. Some calls are just appointed-related or quick queries regarding hospital and clinic timings. These are not as important and can be handled by a medical answering service provider.

The best part is that you don’t have to pay a fortune for these services.

When hospitals and clinics get an overflow of calls, they can rely on medical answering services. This way you don’t have to pay the receptionist extra money to stay for long hours.

Moreover, they won’t feel the burnout. After all, every employee needs a leave or two in a week.

Patient Privacy is of Utmost Importance

Patients call the hospital or a clinic with a lot of trust and belief. They give the most sensitive information to these health clinics.

Everything is with the clinic, from their address, health condition, and contact number to their name.

Medical answering services are HIPAA compliant. This ensures that all the patient’s private data is safe with the medical answering service providers.

This way, clinics, and hospitals can be sure that their patients are in safe hands when it comes to medical answering.

Prepares You For All Kinds of Emergencies

Whenever there is a hurricane, tornado, hailstorm, or other natural disasters, it’s tough to reach the hospital or clinic. But the patients will keep calling your clinic. The medical answering service providers can ensure that none of the calls go unanswered.

No matter the emergency, your calls will be answered, and the medical answering service providers will keep you in the loop about the emergencies.

Thus, doctors should think about opting for medical answering services. They save a lot of time, money, and effort. Instead of hiring new staff to take phone calls after-hours, you can rely on HIPAA-compliant medical answering services.