RE: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

[Guest guest]

I believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will

save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I

believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are

making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance

you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've

chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online

access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems.

AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems

reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other,

low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save

you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just

part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and

having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review

later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never

used the word " unfettered " until Gordon made me believe it should describe

the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim > On Sun, October 28, 2007 10:29 pm EDT, docboops

wrote:> > > I barely

understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all

together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and

FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a

female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were

days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a

service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that

is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my

paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> >

> Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment

scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has

searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with

integrated> programs> >> >> > > that

will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >>

> Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > >

Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > >

Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for

all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would

be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having

recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> >

There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >

----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD>

>> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square

Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> >

(phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> >

www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> >

Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the

attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and

contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or

disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,>

> you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If

you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender

immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the

original message, including attachments.> >

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

[Guest guest]

For those who are using a "self scheduling" program of any kind, I have a question: If you also offer "unfettered access", which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is? I'm worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone "Come at 2:00" and then find that someone else went online and took the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with internet access.

Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I would be able to get emails all the time? Or do you create a complicated schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not available to folks online? Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online?

I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have. Thanks for your help.

L. Skaggs, MD

Lexington, KY

www.fayettefamilymed.com

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:23 AMTo: docboops@...; practiceimprovement1 Subject: Re: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

I believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems. AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

So if I am out and about, I tell them I can't do it right now but offer to walk them through the program if THEY can get on the internet. Or I just take their number and tell them I do have appointments tomorrow (or whenever) but can I call them back? And then I do. I don't book them off the top of my head because just as you say - other people might have taken that apointment already. Actually works out fine.....LynnTo: From: askaggs@...Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:18:41 -0400Subject: RE: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

For those who are using a "self scheduling" program of any kind, I have a question: If you also offer "unfettered access", which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is? I'm worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone "Come at 2:00" and then find that someone else went online and took the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with internet access.

Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I would be able to get emails all the time? Or do you create a complicated schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not available to folks online? Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online?

I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have. Thanks for your help.

L. Skaggs, MD

Lexington, KY

www.fayettefamilymed.com

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:23 AMTo: docboops; practiceimprovement1 Subject: Re: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

I believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems. AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I'd say the same as Lynn.And actually, this situation happens very, very

rarely.I think enough patients use email that they'll send a note there and

we'll use asynchronous communication to plan an appt, perhaps for the next

day. Now that they trust I'll be checking messages " regularly

enough " they are mostly comfortable with this.Tim

So if I am out and about, I tell them I

can't do it right now but offer to walk them through the program if THEY can get on

the internet. Or I just take their number and tell them I do have appointments

tomorrow (or whenever) but can I call them back? And then I do. I don't book them

off the top of my head because just as you say - other people might have taken that

apointment already. Actually works out fine.....LynnTo: From:

askaggs@...Date: Mon, 29 Oct 2007 10:18:41 -0400Subject: RE: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

For those who are using a " self scheduling " program

of any kind, I have a question: If you also offer " unfettered

access " , which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my

cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to

give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and

can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is? I'm

worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone

" Come at 2:00 " and then find that someone else went online and took

the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with

internet access.

Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I

would be able to get emails all the time? Or do you create a complicated

schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not

available to folks online? Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online?

I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar

program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have. Thanks for your

help.

L.

Skaggs, MD

Lexington,

KY

www.fayettefamilymed.com

Re:> >> > Appointmentquest alternatives> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line

appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> >

webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just>

to> > do> >> > > the on-line

scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs>

>> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If

there is no alternative to> > >> >

Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any

info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> >

> Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> >

Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay>

> for once without having recurring> > fees... I>

> like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up

over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia>

> Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720

Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> >

(phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> >

--> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email

message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use

of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential

information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If

you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not

use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are

not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender

immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies

of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

Yahoo! Groups Links> > To visit your group on the web, go

to:> http://groups.yahoo.com/group//> > Your email settings:> Individual Email |

Traditional> > To change settings online go to:>

http://groups.yahoo.com/group//join> (Yahoo! ID required)> > To change settings via

email:> mailto:-digest > mailto:-fullfeatured > >

[Guest guest]

I tell people to call the office in the morning to get an appointment but I also have 2 appointment times per day that are not on appointment quest that I can use or I tell people to come in prior to my first scheduled appointment of the day. I always come in 30 minutes prior to my first appointment anyway to answer any messages that came in over night and for general paperwork so I can use that time for an appointment. Which solution I use depends on how important I think that it is for that person to be seen. Larry Lindeman MDFor those who are using a "self scheduling" program of any kind, I have a question:   If you also offer "unfettered access", which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is?    I'm worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone "Come at 2:00" and then find that someone else went online and took the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with internet access.  Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I would be able to get emails all the time?  Or do you create a complicated schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not available to folks online?  Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online?  I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have.  Thanks for your help.   L. Skaggs, MDLexington, KYwww.fayettefamilymed.com -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:23 AMTo: docboops; practiceimprovement1 Subject: Re: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternativesI believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts.   I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies.  I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access.  Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems.   AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable.  Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later.  Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!!  ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

I was interested in your stating that your office phone is rolled over to your cell phone on weekend and nights. I could see where you would get a lot of calls that really could wait for office hours. Would your patients be amenable to hearing a message that said something to the effect that office hours are over and if there is an emergency that can't wait til a specificed time you can reach me at home....or on my cell..... I hear from lots of people that once patients know they will get us they are very respectful of our time. It also means they can leave messages like "Doc I need to come in this week. When can I come?"Annie Skaggs wrote: For those who are using a "self scheduling" program of any kind, I have a question: If you also offer "unfettered access", which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is? I'm worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone "Come at 2:00" and then find that someone else went online and took the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with internet access. Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I would be able to get emails all the time? Or do you create a complicated schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not available to folks online? Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online? I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have. Thanks for your help. L. Skaggs, MD Lexington, KY www.fayettefamilymed.com -----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:23 AMTo: docboops; practiceimprovement1 Subject: Re: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives I believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system

will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems. AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And,

if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my

paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do

on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up

over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> >

Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Regular cell phone with internet access is just as good as Blackberry for appointment quest. I have both, and like the phone best.

Matt in Western PA

RE: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

For those who are using a "self scheduling" program of any kind, I have a question: If you also offer "unfettered access", which in my world means that my office phone is rolled to my cell phone on nights and weekends, how do you handle people wanting you to give them an appointment time if you don't have access to the internet and can't check to see what the most recent version of the schedule is? I'm worried that I will get calls while I am out and about, tell someone "Come at 2:00" and then find that someone else went online and took the 2:00 spot already, but I didn't know because I'm not near a computer with internet access.

Would I have to break down and get a Blackberry so that I would be able to get emails all the time? Or do you create a complicated schedule template with specified times available for you to use that are not available to folks online? Or maybe not allow same day scheduling online?

I'm contemplating use of Appointmentquest or a similar program, and trying to anticipate the problems I might have. Thanks for your help.

L. Skaggs, MD

Lexington, KY

www.fayettefamilymed.com

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Malia, MDSent: Monday, October 29, 2007 7:23 AMTo: docboops; practiceimprovement1 Subject: Re: Recurring costs.... was Re: Re: Appointmentquest alternatives

I believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems. AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> > > >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I> > like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

Dear Tim, Delayed review of the listserv by the Modesto geek requires this comment: I do not believe that you can improve unfettered access. You could only improve "minimally fettered" or "partially fettered" access. Though I think it was a rarely used part of my vocabulary before Gordon (B.G.E) I cannot be sure. However, I hereby resolve to use the word "unfettered" more frequently when talking about IMP practices too! Bob" Malia, MD" wrote: I

believe that the online scheduler with an automatic email reminder system will save you money by saving you time and by decreasing no-show appts. I believe it will make the work easier for you and your staff.If you are making your office work with paper charts, etc, that's great. But there's a chance you will gain a great deal of efficiency by adding selected technologies. I've chosen the piecemeal approach that keeps costs down but still offers online access. Many others have chosen bigger, fully integrated systems. AppointmentQuest has worked for me, but the one you found also seems reasonable. Yes, I guess you could choose the free version, but the other, low-cost versions with email notification/reminders for patients may actually save you money by my estimate.This isn't about having no staff. That's just part of the design I've put in place. This is about improving unfettered access and having an office that is

more ideal for both the patients and the doctor.Good luck. And, if you do try the acuity appt system, please give us a review later. Thanks.Finally... am I the only one of us who never used the word "unfettered" until Gordon made me believe it should describe the access to my services?!!! ;-))Tim> > > > I barely understand what all you mentioned is, nevermind how to> patch it all together. I am on paper charts, paper appointment book,> with a FT MA and FT receptionist. I REALLY did not want to be in the> office alone as a female physician. And even though I have 2 FT> staff members there were days that I did in fact end up alone.> So, what I am looking for is a service to my patients (the ability> to schedule appointments on line) that is a

benefit to them, with> minimal cost to me. This will not supplant my paper appointment> book... for now anyway.> >

> >> > > Does anyone> > know of freeware to do on-line appointment scheduling?> > My> > >> > webmaster has searched the web all day looking for freeware just> to> > do> >> > > the on-line scheduling and has only come up with integrated> programs> >> >> > > that will not suit my needs. If there is no alternative to> > >> > Appointmentquest, I suppose I'll go that way.> > > Any info> > would be> > greatly appreciated.> > > Thanks,> > > ,> > MD> > > Virginia> > Beach, VA> > >> > Thanks for all of your> > suggestion. It just seems like it> > would be an> > easy thing to do and pay> > for once without having recurring> > fees... I>

> like not having recurring> > fees because they do add up over> > time.> > There is succh a narrow profit> > margin in my> > practice.> > -> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> > ----------------------------------------> > Malia, MD> >> > Malia> > Family Medicine & Skin Sense Laser> > 6720 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd.> > Perinton> > Square Mall> > Fairport, NY 14450> >> > (phone / fax)> > www.relayhealth.com/doc/DrMalia> > www.SkinSenseLaser.com> >> > --> > Confidentiality Notice --> > This email message, including all the attachments, is> > for the sole use of the intended

recipient(s) and contains> confidential information.> > Unauthorized use or disclosure is prohibited. If you are not the> intended recipient,> > you may not use, disclose, copy or disseminate this information.> If you are not the> > intended recipient, please contact the sender immediately by reply> email and destroy> > all copies of the original message, including attachments.> > ----------------------------------------> >> > > > > >