A reliable medical answering service will not only take your important messages accurately but also be available for your customers when they need you the most. An answering service is the perfect solution for your medical practice if you want to expand the quality of your service as well as your profits.
Healthcare businesses who have outsourced their answering services explain that these service providers add value to your practice because they understand the specific needs of the business.
However, you need to ensure that you have the right partner who can uphold your legacy and work as an extension of your brand. Therefore, you must consider the following factors when hiring a service partner.
Check for HIPAA Compliance
Only choose HIPAA compliant medical answering service. Many answering services may claim to be compliant but it you must always validate that claim. This is important because medical practices are legally required to protect patient information and make sure that it is secure. The sensitive data is not allowed to be shared by anyone who has no reason to access it.
Round-the-clock availability
You must find a service partner who has the infrastructure and ability to provide 24/7 availability to your business. Since medical emergency can arise at any time, your patients should be able to reach an empathetic representative when they need one. This will not only give your patients the confidence that you are always there for them, it also helps you use your resources better by improving the quality of the service. When the answering service is available round the clock, your staff will be more productive because they can redirect the calls and handle all the administrative task on your behalf.
Experience
It is very important to work with an answering service who has the relevant experience working in the medical field. When they are experienced and knowledgeable with the medical business, it becomes easier for them to serve as per the business requirements and also do a good job with it. You can also ask for medical references to verify their claims of experience.
Professionalism
Professionalism is also an important factor when choosing your service provider. Don’t make the mistake of hiring someone who has displayed poor work ethic. This would not only risk your reputation in the market but also pose to be a health risk for your patients. A well trained staff is a must. They should also undergo process specific training program to ensure they are aware of your business specifics. They should also know how to adhere to the protocols at the time of emergency.
When you are planning to get a medical answering service on board, either for replacement or to lighten the load, it is important to research the vendors carefully. You should make your decision only after evaluating a few vendors and choose the one that suits your medical needs perfectly.