Healthcare organizations can reactivate patients and generate revenue by implementing effective patient engagement strategies. These include using personalized communications, offering convenient appointment scheduling, providing online access to medical records, and offering telemedicine services.

Introduction

The healthcare industry is one of the most critical industries in the world, and it has a tremendous impact on people’s lives. Healthcare organizations face significant challenges in generating revenue, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. With many patients avoiding in-person appointments and procedures, healthcare organizations are finding it challenging to keep up with their revenue targets. In this blog, we will explore the challenges that healthcare organizations face in improving patient experience and generating revenue, and we will discuss some strategies that can help.

The Challenges: Patients’ Avoidance of In-Person Appointments and Its Impact on Healthcare Revenue

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought about significant changes in the healthcare industry, with patients increasingly avoiding in-person appointments and opting for telehealth services. While telehealth has been a valuable resource during the pandemic, its adoption has led to a decline in patient volume for healthcare organizations, resulting in a significant impact on their revenue. Here, we delve deeper into the challenges posed by patients’ avoidance of in-person appointments and the rise of telehealth.

• Decrease in Patient Volume and Revenue Loss
The pandemic has caused a decline in patient volume for healthcare organizations, with many patients delaying or skipping medical care altogether. According to a survey 50% of patients delayed or skipped medical care during the pandemic. This decrease in patient acquisition has a direct impact on healthcare organizations’ revenue, with many experiencing a significant drop in revenue due to the lack of patient traffic. The impact is particularly severe for smaller practices and hospitals, where revenue is largely dependent on in-person appointments.

• Rise of Telehealth and Reimbursement Challenges
As patients avoid in-person appointments, they are increasingly turning to telehealth as a safer alternative. According to a survey, telehealth usage increased from 11% in 2019 to 46% in 2020. While telehealth has been a valuable resource for patients during the pandemic, it has also posed challenges for healthcare organizations. One of the significant challenges is reimbursement. Telehealth services are often reimbursed at lower rates than in-person appointments, resulting in a further decline in revenue for healthcare organizations.

• Medical Debt and Patient Avoidance of Care
Medical debt is a significant problem in the United States, with one in six Americans having unpaid medical bills on their credit reports. High levels of medical debt can lead to improving patient satisfaction is the key in a situation where they avoid medical care altogether, which, in turn, affects healthcare organizations’ revenue. Patients who avoid medical care due to financial concerns may develop more severe health conditions, resulting in higher healthcare costs in the long run.

Strategies to Educate Patients about In-Person Appointments and Promote Preventative Care

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the world, many patients may be hesitant to seek in-person medical care due to safety concerns. However, delaying medical care can have significant health consequences, making it essential for healthcare organizations to implement creative ways to increase patient volume and safety of in-person appointments and promote the benefits of preventative care. Here are some strategies that healthcare organizations can implement.

• Use Statistics to Emphasize the Importance of Preventative Care:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Preventative care, such as regular check-ups, screenings, and vaccinations, can help detect and manage these diseases early on, leading to better health outcomes and potentially saving lives.

• Implement Safety Protocols and Communicate Them Effectively
Healthcare organizations can implement safety protocols such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and increased sanitation measures to make in-person appointments safer for patients. It is important to communicate these protocols effectively to patients through various channels, including email, social media, and signage in clinics. By doing so, patients will feel more comfortable attending appointments and have confidence that their health and safety are a top priority.

• Provide Convenient and Flexible Appointment Options
In addition to in-person appointments, healthcare organizations can also provide telemedicine options, which allow patients to access medical care from the comfort of their own homes. Telemedicine can be an effective way to provide care while reducing the risk of exposure to COVID-19. Offering flexible appointment options can also help patients with busy schedules or mobility issues to access care more easily.

• Offer Financial Assistance and Payment Plans
Healthcare costs can be a significant barrier to accessing medical care, especially for those who are uninsured or underinsured. Healthcare organizations can offer financial assistance programs, payment plans, and discounts for cash payments to help patients access to care without incurring significant medical debt. By doing so, patients will be more likely to seek medical care and receive the preventative care they need to maintain good health.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry, with healthcare organizations struggling to reactivate patients and generate revenue. By educating patients about the safety of in-person appointments, promoting preventative care, and offering flexible payment options, healthcare organizations can overcome these challenges and ensure that patients receive the care they need.

BraveLabs, as a digital transformation and marketing company, can help healthcare organizations reactivate patients and generate revenue by implementing targeted digital marketing campaigns, optimizing their online presence, and leveraging data analytics to identify and engage with potential patients.