Maximizing Dental Benefits: 3 Proven Strategies to Encourage Year-End Visits
As the year comes to a close, there’s a feverish rush among many Americans to squeeze out every last drop of their dental benefits before the clock resets. (And hey, who can blame them?)
For dental practices, this presents a fantastic opportunity to not only help patients maintain their oral health but also boost year-end revenue. Let’s explore three ways your practice can maximize its revenue by encouraging patients to use their remaining dental benefits in December.
Talk About the Value of Preventive Care
Preventive care is key to maintaining good oral health. Now is the best time to remind your patients of the importance of regular dental check-ups and cleanings, especially since these services are often fully covered by dental insurance plans. Here’s how you can encourage patients to schedule a preventive care appointment this month:
📞 Reach Out: A gentle nudge via email, text messages, or phone calls about their yearly check-up and cleaning can work wonders.
💰Highlight Savings: Make them see the light by emphasizing the cost-saving benefits of using their remaining insurance perks. A little care now can save them from hefty bills later on.
⏰ Flexible Timing: Offering extended hours or weekend appointments can be an absolute game-changer for patients with tight schedules.
Promote Cosmetic and Elective Procedures
December is PRIME TIME for showcasing cosmetic and elective procedures. A brighter smile for the holiday selfies? Yes, please! Here’s how to lure them in:
🏷 Special Offers: Roll out promotional packages or discounts for teeth whitening, veneers, or other cosmetic services. (Make sure they know their insurance might cover these too!)
🤩 Showcase Success: Share before-and-after photos of previous cosmetic treatments to showcase the potential results they can get.
💳 Ease the Cost: Providing financing options or information on payment plans can make elective procedures seem more within reach for some patients.
Help Patients Get the Most of Out of Their Insurance Benefits
Let’s face it—Many patients might not be well-versed with the intricacies of their insurance plans or the fact that their benefits reset with the new year. This is where your practice can step in to shed some light and help them make the most of what they have before the year ends. Here’s how you can go about it:
🎓 Insurance 101: If you have insurance experts on your team, now’s their time to shine. Offer resources or even a short workshop to help patients understand their insurance coverage better. Break down what services are covered and what aren’t in a simple, easy-to-grasp manner.
Financial Consulting: Offer some financial guidance to help patients plan their treatments within the scope of their insurance benefits. Being clear about annual maximums and deductibles can remove A LOT of guesswork and anxiety for them.
Prompt Claims Submission: Make sure your practice is on top of submitting insurance claims quickly. This will maximize the chances of your patients getting approved to use their remaining benefits before they reset.
Is Your Practice Ready to End The Year STRONG?
The final month of the year can be a win-win situation for both your practice and your patients. It’s all about spreading awareness, offering flexibility, and providing that extra bit of information that can make all the difference.
You have the opportunity to reinforce your practice’s commitment to patient care, all while giving your year-end revenue a nice little bump. So why not take advantage of this season to connect with your patients, help them maximize their benefits, and keep their pearly whites shining bright?
And hey, it doesn’t stop here…