stop the bleeding: end patient cancellations with these quick tips

No-shows and last minute cancellations

can bleed tens of thousands of dollars

from your practice every year.

However, with a few insider tips, you can

combat the “curse of the no show” like a pro.

$TOP THE BL E E D I NG !O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :

Missed appointment fees are a popular strategy

to dissuade patients from cancelling last minute.

Unfortunately, communicating a new policy of

missed appointment fees can be an awkward task.

When informing your patients about your new policy,

be sure to stress two ideas:

“ “Missed appointments threaten our ability to stayopen and serve the community.”

“Even with the small fee, we still lose money whenpatients cancel their appointments last minute.”

T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E S

With precise scripting, missed appointment fees can reinforce the importance of treatments without alienating patients.


















O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E S

Last minute cancellations prevent a large percentage

of your patients from completing their treatment.

To get in front of the issue and ensure that the patient

follows through, consider offering same-day treatments

while your patients are in the office.

T A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T S

With some planning and organization, you can avoid giving your patients the opportunity to cancel their appointment.

O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E SO F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E ST A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T S

























If your patient cancels his appointment out of the blue, it’s important to have

a back-up plan. Keeping a running list of patients who’d prefer to be seen as

soon as possible gives you a resource to quickly fill the holes in your calendar.

T A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”

When last minute cancellations happen, find someone available to fill the hole in your schedule immediately.

O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E SO F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E ST A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T ST A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”

























If your patient cancels his appointment out of the blue, it’s important to have

a back-up plan. Keeping a running list of patients who’d prefer to be seen as

soon as possible gives you a resource to quickly fill the holes in your calendar.

T A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”

When last minute cancellations happen, find someone available to fill the hole in your schedule immediately.

O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E SO F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E ST A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T ST A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”T A C T I C # 4 : D I F F E R E N T I A T E C O M M U N I C A T I O N T Y P E S

In the “age of mobile”, your patients are almost always receiving communications. How do you get yours noticed?

O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E SO F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E ST A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T ST A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”O F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E SO F F I C E M A N A G E R S :T A C T I C # 1 : M I S S E D A P P O I N T M E N T F E E ST A C T I C # 2 : S A M E D A Y T R E A T M E N T ST A C T I C # 3 : K E E P I N G A N “ A S A P L I S T ”T A C T I C # 4 : D I F F E R E N T I A T E C O M M U N I C A T I O N T Y P E S

Your patients recieve countless calls, texts, and

emails from marketers every day. To get your messages

noticed – and to encourage your patients to honor their

appointments – consider diversifying your

patient communication methods.

According to a recent study, the 4 most popular

and effective methods are:and effective methods are:

Text Messages – 92%

Email – 85%

Phone Calls – 83%

Postcards – 44%

T A C T I C # 5 : T R E A T M E N T P L A N R E M I N D E R S

Developing a series of communications before and after appointments can keep patients reminded and engaged.

T A C T I C # 5 : T R E A T M E N T P L A N R E M I N D E R S

Practices that leverage their office managers

(or communication software) to reach out to

patients at designated intervals can expect a

significant decrease in no-shows.

Try building out a calendar of reminders

before, day of, and after to keep

patients on track.patients on track.

Additonally, consider utilizing different methods

of communication: texts, phone calls, emails,

and postcards/letters should all be in the mix.

Mix up your messaging – send appointment

reminders, customized greetings, and even

the impact of their treatment.







W A N T T O L E A R N M O R E A B O U T L I G H T H O U S E 3 6 0 ?

to change everything you thought you knew about

what a practice management software can do.

http://www.lh360.com/getdemo/?utm_source=Organic_Direct_Blog&utm_medium=OrganicWebsite&utm_campaign=LH_Dental_LH_Dental_Uberflip&utm_content=SlideShare_StopTheBleedingSlideShare

SOURCE S

http://bit.ly/1UfeKDT

http://www.lh360.com/features/

http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/02/5-vital-steps-to-successfully-improve-case-acceptance-in-dental-practices.html

stop the bleeding: end patient cancellations with these quick tips

Healthcare