The system of two-tiered healthcare in the US is something which many of us are familiar with. Just as it is with restaurants and with other services in America, those who give more money receive a better patient experience in return. Many of us would think nothing of this as it is commonplace. However, if you’ve read the report from msnbc.com on the “two-doored” clinic, you might think differently.

The report is a look into the experiences of two female msnbc.com reporters who went to the managed care (Lennox Hill Radiology) and boutique practice (New York Private Medical Imaging) sections of the very same medical establishment. The purpose – to get a routine mammogram done. The reporters were Helen Popkin and Linda Carroll respectively. The report exposes a shockingly glaring difference in the treatment meted out to patients in both sections.

The differences were in elapsed time to get an appointment, kind of dress, elapsed time to get mammogram results, and commitment to the job. It is quite easy to understand that patients on the insurance side like in this case, Helen Popkin, were the losers.

Doctors who’ve turned to boutique practice would complain that managed care doesn’t pay them enough. It also limits the time that can be given to each patient, since there are so many of them. Then, there is the problem of longer waiting times. With concierge healthcare, the patient rosters are restricted, getting the doctors the due for their dedicated treatments, and giving patients more personalized, timetaking care.

If the patient demands special treatment and a luxurious ambience, someone must be there to provide it and the patient must be willing to pay for it. Employers in companies would probably say that making advance payments for medical care means more employee benefits.

If we were look at the other side of the coin, it is unreasonable that only the more financially advantageous should enjoy quality care. It is unfair that the majority of patients should be kept waiting for days whether it is to see a doctor or to get lab results. What’s particularly surprising is that employees in a “two-door clinic” should be warned not to reveal to the patients that there is “another door.”

Why should doctors and/or medical staff look at patients with greater pay packets with different eyes? It just doesn’t make sense, and strikes at the very root of medical ethics.

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Efficient appointment scheduling in healthcare establishes a connection between efficient healthcare services and timely access to these services. A good appointment system would:

• even out workflow
• enable health systems to respect provider and patient preferences whilst matching demand and supply
• reduce the thronging of people in waiting rooms

The efficiency of an appointment scheduling system is reflected in patient satisfaction and revenue gains.

Web-based Appointment Scheduling

Any medical practice which has to handle scores of patients and medical responsibilities cannot afford to waste too much time and money on patient scheduling. This is particularly the case if a physician manages his own medical office.

Web-based appointment scheduling offers several advantages including:

• Faster patient scheduling
• Multiple user accessibility
• Appointments can be accessed by day, month or week
• Enables creation of appointment reports and other reports
• Automatic generation of email appointment reminders
• Makes for easy appointment confirmation and rescheduling
• Minimizes no-shows

The Outsourcing Option

A number of hospitals, clinics and multi-specialty practices outsource their scheduling work to competent BPO companies. This frees up more time for them to devote to patient care. These BPO companies would answer calls for the client medical establishment on a 24/7 basis just as a call center does, reducing hang-ups from probable patients. They may also offer online appointment scheduling, using either the client’s scheduling software or their own online software. Incorporation of the right appointment scheduling strategy in healthcare is undoubtedly an important thing to consider avoiding loss of patients and profit.

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Patient scheduling, if properly streamlined and is done practically error-free, helps clinics and hospitals to find more time to spend with their patients.

Paper Based Scheduling Is No More a Favored Option

Paper based scheduling is no more a favored option if one wishes to maintain a professional image. Such schedules are difficult to read and access. Web-based patient scheduling prevails in terms of accuracy, ease of use, convenience, fewer delays and greater flexibility. Some healthcare providers choose to contract out their appointment scheduling process to medical outsourcing companies who would answer their calls for them, using the client’s own scheduling software or their own software. One can usually find appointment scheduling software that can be customized to integrate with one’s billing and EMR software.

Benefits of Well-managed Patient Scheduling

Well-managed patient scheduling helps clinics and hospitals in the following ways:

• Efficiently adjusts appointments that overlap.
• Enables booking of recurring visits.
• Offers multispecialty support.
• Tracks no-shows and cancellations.
• Enables easy checking of appointment statuses like missed, confirmed, and checked-in.
• Enables the best possible utilization of the practitioner’s time as the duration of each kind of appointment (eg. detailed examination, post-operative check) would be taken into account when scheduling the appointments.
• Simplifies appointment rescheduling and cross-scheduling, and the directing of patients to other offices.
• Patient information can be quickly and easily updated.
• Referring doctors, authorized visits, resources, sales, and insurance coverage can be followed.
• Orderly callbacks and appointment reminders.
• Facilitates group scheduling.

Garner Patient Appreciation and an Improved Bottom Line

Online and outsourced patient scheduling means one can say goodbye to the days when scheduling procedures, medical tests, consultations, and treatments were a hassle.

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Appointment scheduling services offered by various medical outsourcing solution providers can help hospitals, clinics and other healthcare practices save time and cut down on operational expenses. That means no more long hours spent by the staff on the phone to set up appointments, and no more concerns related to the appointment book.

Simplified Appointment Scheduling Process

Web- appointment scheduling services are characterized by 24/7 availability; thereby helping to meet the scheduling needs of a greater number of patients. They simplify the following:

• Ordinary scheduling of appointments
• Appointment rescheduling or cancellation
• Appointment confirmation
• Callbacks
• Cross-scheduling
• Referring patients to a different office(s)

A Number of Advantages

The providers of appointment scheduling services make use of the appointment scheduling software available with the customer or they may utilize their own online software. The automation of appointment scheduling services offers several advantages to the medical community:

• Can concentrate more on medical and health duties that are of greater importance.
• Helps to make office schedules up-to-date and accurate.
• Multiple users can gain access at the same time.
• Appointments can be viewed from practically anywhere.
• Makes possible double-booking or even triple-booking in a single time-slot.
• Rooms, providers, nurses and equipment can be effectively managed.
• Minimizes instances of overbooking, late or missed appointments, and no-shows.
• No delays associated with fixing appointments for new patients.
• Helps to achieve greater patient satisfaction and therefore enhances patient compliance.
• Improves bottom-line.

Find a Competent Service Provider

Appointment scheduling services offered by a competent provider would be cost-effective and would ensure the confidentiality of client medical information.

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