subject: Getting the Most Out of a Medical Answering Service [print this page] Getting the Most Out of a Medical Answering Service
If you are currently using a Chicago answering service, you may wish to ask a few key questions regarding business efficiency. Most of these will boil down to cost effectiveness. In other words, does your answering service really provide you and your office with the maximum amount of benefits possible? If so, what is the caller's experience when they reach your service. Is it positive or could it stand some additional tweaking? Most importantly, does your service assist you with maximizing your time? These are the benefits that a live answering service should provide. Let's take a closer look at these specifications.
Does my answering service help me to use my time more efficiently?
At peak hours of the day, your in-house receptionist could most likely benefit from the assistance of a live answering service. Your office, in general, could certainly benefit from the service when there is no one there during after hours. This is especially true in times of emergency. A good Chicago live answering service can forward those emergency phone calls when needed and take messages from the non-critical situation patients. This can be essential when maximizing the time that is needed to spend on concerns other than taking every call that comes in.
Is your answering service saving you money, in the long-run?
Consider the fact that it is normal to have several calls coming in simultaneously during peak hours. Some of these calls could be referrals that constitute new patients. Is it possible to conceive of lost revenue due to the inability of a doctor's office to answer its phone calls during peak hours? Of course, it is.
You would also need to consider the possibility of your receptionist calling in sick. Hiring a temporary replacement is not only expensive, but highly inefficient, as well. The same holds true for hiring a full-time in-house staff to cover your answering needs 24/7. If you wish to same time and money, a live answering service is certainly your best option.
A more professional look
A live answering service can also help your office to acquire a more professional look when assisting your patients. When your patients can reach a live professional any time of the day or night, it reflects on the professionalism of your office, in general.
All in all, having a live answering service makes a statement about your practice. Basically it says that you care about your patients and wish to provide the best service possible.
