Remind patients: The end of the year is near (and deductibles will be renewing)

Believe it or not, it’s that time of year again.

As we quickly approach the end of October, today marks just 70 days until calendar year medical benefits will reset for many of your patients.  Renewed deductibles, expiration of existing insurance plans, and the zeroing of health savings accounts will — in very short order — mean more money out-of-pocket for your patients.  As you’re aware, this has a tendency to accompany the delay of non-urgent care, resulting in decreased volumes and revenues for healthcare practices shortly after the first of the year.

This cyclical nature of medical benefits should come as no surprise, as it is something we see year in and year out.  The fact that there is something that can be done about it now is something that many practices neglect to realize however, leaving opportunity out on the doorstep even in light of this predictable, annual occurrence.

So, what do you do about it?  The answer is simple – remind your patients.  This is a busy time of year, and while patients also realize that their medical benefits will be resetting in just a few short months, day-to-day life often trumps important details like this that can result in the savings of hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket healthcare expenses.

A simple form letter sent out by mail merge, a mass email distribution, individual phone calls, or in-office reminders can all be acceptable ways to remind your patients that if they anticipate the need for medical, physical therapy, or dental services in the next few months – now is the time to act.

A gentle reminder to your patients may go a long way toward saving them money, ensuring their health, and making them appreciate that you’re looking out for them in more ways than one.  If you’d like some ideas on how to communicate this important message to your patients, along with examples of sample letters, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.