Re: Re:Reducing Staff Needs and Websites Like Medfusion

[Guest guest]

I have much the same system as describes below -- OneBox (email, voicemail,

fax), AppointmentQuest. I do prescriptions thru Amazing Charts on line service

(??$30/mo or so). I had RelayHealth for the last 4 yrs in my old office

and started with it here for the first 18months or so, but ultimately dropped it as

many patients didn't like the need to go to the website and sign in, it was a

barrier to access. Now it's plain email and folks like it a lot. I offer

option for secure encrypted emails, but only a few patients have wanted that.

In general, I use common sense and a level of professionalism with emails so I don't

send information that is too personal or potentially embarrassing if someone else

saw it. Consider that 's words are backed by experience. Her

transition as an IMP with phone staff for a few years to an IMP with leveraged

technology for phones/messages speaks to how it can be done and demonstrates one of

the great benefits of IMP offices -- ability to adjust and change as circumstances

require. Tim > On

Thu, January 8, 2009 10:54 am EST, Guinn wrote:> > > A lot of being an IMP involves balancing supply

and demand so that> you maintain good patient access. How many patients

will follow you> to your IMP? I have a no-staff IMP (down from 1/2 staff 4

months ago)> and have 900 active patients. That's probably too many, more

in terms> of paperwork than actual visits. I do have same day visits

available,> though rarely I stay a little late to fit another patient in.

And I> didn't start with that many patients - it's too hard to see 10-12

on> your first day in a new office, so start slow and build the

practice.> > In terms of cutting back on telephone demand:> I had someone who answered phones for me fulltime (expenses were>

shared with two therapists in my building) for years and transitioned>

rapidly into no phone coverage. I would say my phone volume has> dropped by

at least 80%. I use telephone voicemail and a website> which has a link to

either email directly to me or make an online> appointment on Appointment

Quest. My phone message makes it clear how> to access the website and make

an appointment. I use regular email> (comcast) not one of the other types

of message centers, as patients> seem to prefer that. I pay about twenty

dollars a year for Website> Hosting and about $18. a month for

AppointmentQuest. I also pay about> $20.00 for onebox phone/fax service.> > There are many others on this listserve that use some combination

of> these services and I believe several Relayhealth users - Tim? maybe> ? Perhaps they can comment on using those services.> >

Guinn> Albuquerque> > >

------------------------------------> >

[Guest guest]

I agree with everything that says. I have Medfusion currently and not found it to be a huge time saver. I like the e-mail but there are other , cheaper options. I think that appointment quest is essential. Voice mail helps a lot. Staff can be used for a lot of other things than the phone. If you are brand new and trying to quickly build a practice having someone answer the phone helps a lot. When I first opened we gave coupons for a free cup of coffee to everyone who made their appointment online to encourage them to use our online services.Larry Lindeman MDA lot of being an IMP involves balancing supply and demand so that you maintain good patient access. How many patients will follow you to your IMP? I have a no-staff IMP (down from 1/2 staff 4 months ago) and have 900 active patients. That's probably too many, more in terms of paperwork than actual visits. I do have same day visits available, though rarely I stay a little late to fit another patient in. And I didn't start with that many patients - it's too hard to see 10-12 on your first day in a new office, so start slow and build the practice.In terms of cutting back on telephone demand:I had someone who answered phones for me fulltime (expenses were shared with two therapists in my building) for years and transitioned rapidly into no phone coverage. I would say my phone volume has dropped by at least 80%. I use telephone voicemail and a website which has a link to either email directly to me or make an online appointment on Appointment Quest. My phone message makes it clear how to access the website and make an appointment. I use regular email (comcast) not one of the other types of message centers, as patients seem to prefer that. I pay about twenty dollars a year for Website Hosting and about $18. a month for AppointmentQuest. I also pay about $20.00 for onebox phone/fax service.There are many others on this listserve that use some combination of these services and I believe several Relayhealth users - Tim? maybe ? Perhaps they can comment on using those services. GuinnAlbuquerque