8 Patient Communication Tips for Year-End Revenue Growth

The Countdown to 2024 Is On! End the Year on a High Note by Amplifying Patient Engagement

November is upon us, and if you’re in healthcare, you’re likely focused on meeting your annual revenue growth goals. The clock is ticking — not just for you, but for your patients who want to make the most of their healthcare needs as the year winds down.  

To seize this mutual opportunity, you need a strategic patient communication strategy.

And while 2023’s almost over, don’t fret — you can still get ahead with our eight patient engagement tips. Keep reading to learn how a solid plan and PracticeQ's robust communication tools can help you finish the year strong.

1. Leverage Expiring Benefits with Automated Reminders

Automated reminders can be a powerful tool for alerting patients about their soon-to-expire benefits. With PracticeQ's customizable features, you can optimize your reminders to get more patients to take action:

• Personalize the message to specifically mention unused benefits and approaching year-end deadlines.
• Send reminders based on the set number of days before or after an appointment to alert patients about expiring benefits.
• Use patient segmentation to export lists for targeted portal messages, or mass message your clients through the patient portal at once.
• Include a call-to-action, urging patients to book an appointment directly through the reminder.

By employing these strategies, you can fill your appointment slots and provide value to your patients, reminding them to utilize their pre-paid benefits. This multiplies your opportunities for revenue generation as 2023 comes to a close.

2. Make Emails Work Harder for You

Email is often an underutilized asset when it comes to patient communication. During the crucial year-end period, emails can do wonders for both your practice and your patients:

• Use PracticeQ's HIPAA-compliant email tools to schedule bulk, custom communications, including those requiring e-signatures. You’ll be able to send out large volumes of secure, tailored messages at once, reducing manual effort and encouraging patient engagement for year-end appointments.
• Share value-added content, like health tips, along with reminders about end-of-year benefits and tax advantages. This offers two advantages: patient education and a subtle push to book appointments.

Emails provide ample space to communicate your message in detail, as well as the flexibility to link directly to booking and contact pages. Capitalizing on this channel can help you get closer to your year-end revenue targets.

3. Streamline Operations with Online Intake Forms

Digital intake forms are more than just a way to streamline administrative tasks. When used effectively, they can also contribute to patient engagement and revenue growth.

Integrating these forms with your practice management system saves you time, which you can then invest in patient care. This is especially important as the year winds down and both you and your patients are looking to meet end-of-year goals.

Collecting detailed patient information helps you craft tailored care plans. This not only increases patient satisfaction but also informs your year-end marketing strategies.

As you approach year-end, patients are often eager to maximize their health benefits. Use the data from your digital intake forms to proactively reach out to them, creating a win-win situation for your practice and your patients.

4. Gain Patient Loyalty with a Secure Patient Portal

Increasing revenue doesn’t have to come at the expense of patient satisfaction. With PracticeQ's patient portal, you can offer a seamless, convenient experience that meets patients’ needs, streamlines your practice’s operations, and improves your bottom line.

• Clients can schedule their own appointments, reducing admin work and optimizing your calendar for maximum revenue.
• The portal allows for easy invoice management. Patients can quickly view and settle their bills, accelerating your cash flow.
• The secure messaging function within the portal ensures private, HIPAA-compliant communication between you and your patients. It improves trust and keeps the lines of communication open, enabling timely responses to medical queries and reducing unnecessary in-person visits.

With a comprehensive patient portal, you can elevate the patient experience while streamlining practice management for a more agile, profitable business.

5. Improve Health Literacy Through Patient Education

Educated patients become partners in their healthcare, making informed choices and following treatment plans more diligently. When patients understand their diagnoses and treatment options, they can actively participate in their care and are more likely to adhere to treatment plans. You’ll have fewer missed appointments, enhancing long-term revenue stability.

For example, one way you can educate patients is by sharing treatment notes in the patient portal. It makes the healthcare process more transparent and less intimidating, encouraging patients to take an active role in their healthcare decisions. Not to mention, giving patients easy access to educational material spurs preventive care and minimizes expensive visits to the emergency room.

With a more informed clientele, you can establish a trust-based relationship that not only retains patients but also enhances the overall healthcare experience.

6. Utilize Social Media for Last-Minute Engagements

In a world dominated by social media, having a strong online presence can help you in your last-minute push for revenue. Here’s how you can seize the moment and engage your audience effectively:

• Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post reminders about expiring health benefits.
• Share bite-sized educational content that adds value and prompts immediate action.
• Post real-time updates about last-minute cancellations to fill slots quickly.

Whether it’s booking an appointment or reading about preventive health, social media can help you build your brand and encourage more patients to stop by before the year ends.

7. Integrate Telehealth for Year-End Revenue Boost

As the year comes to a close, telehealth — an increasingly popular platform — can serve as a strategic tool for boosting revenue. Virtual visits during the holiday season can help you accommodate patients who might otherwise cancel due to travel or busy schedules. These virtual consultations can quickly fill empty slots in your calendar, contributing to revenue without requiring additional in-person resources.  

Moreover, offering telehealth services for routine follow-ups or prescription renewals allows you to maintain patient engagement, which can increase visits before year-end deductibles reset. In this way, telehealth can satisfy patient demands for convenience and deliver a timely, cost-effective avenue for reaching your revenue goals.

8. The Final Stretch — Action Items to Wrap Up 2023

To make the most of your financial opportunities as the year comes to a close, here’s a handy checklist to help you end 2023 strong:

• Audit your billing. Process all pending invoices and insurance claims. Send reminders for overdue payments.
• Offer special promotions. Roll out limited-time discounts on select services or products.
• Utilize unused budget. Spend any “use it or lose it” budget on essential equipment or staff training.
• Send patient follow-ups. Contact patients due for appointments, screenings, or check-ups.
• Update compliance. Ensure all documentation and compliance requirements are current.
• Evaluate performance metrics. Analyze the year’s data to pinpoint trends or areas needing improvement.
• Start tax planning. Meet with your financial advisor for last-minute tax adjustments.
• Prepare for next year. Pre-book appointments for the first quarter of the coming year.
• Show your team some love. Their happiness can positively affect patient experience and revenue.

After ticking off these action items, your practice is well-positioned to end 2023 successfully and launch into a fruitful 2024.

Grow Your Revenue in 2024 and Beyond

Maximizing year-end revenue is an integral part of building a resilient and sustainable healthcare practice. The strategies you implement now can create a domino effect of positive outcomes, from improved patient satisfaction to streamlined operations, which set the foundation for a financially stable business.  

With PracticeQ's versatile solutions, you can enhance patient engagement and ease administrative burdens, setting your practice on a path to financial stability for 2024 and beyond.

Interested in seeing how PracticeQ can strengthen your practice’s long-term financial health? Schedule a demo today and set the stage for a prosperous future.