Improving patient access is often a heavy lift for healthcare providers thanks to staffing shortages, lack of thorough staff training, inefficient processes and more. Experian Health’s State of Patient Access 2024 survey found that curating accurate patient information also continues to be a challenge, which is the primary cause of denied claims for almost half (49%) of healthcare providers.
Meanwhile, patients themselves are growing frustrated and are increasingly demanding better access. The same Experian Health survey revealed that patients want self-service, on-demand mobile scheduling, faster access to doctors and more digital channels for managing their healthcare. They also want more communication, faster service and easy-to-use digital platforms.
After all, why shouldn’t managing access to healthcare be as easy as booking a flight online?
Here’s a closer look at some of the key findings:
- 89% of patients want self-service scheduling
- 85% dislike manually filling out repetitive intake paperwork
- 96% want a cost estimate before their treatment
Unfortunately, today’s healthcare industry is often plagued by a highly complex interplay between people, processes, environment and technologies. Providers are hamstrung by outdated and siloed procedures. From laborious patient registration to by-hand claims processing, workarounds and manual tasks are inherent in their systems – making it challenging to fully meet patient needs.
The new healthcare rally cry: Better patient access
It’s clear that an innovative response to revenue cycle management and patient access is needed, and needed soon. Providers have heard the message from patients – they want more self-serve access, like streamlined scheduling, on-demand service and user-friendly technology. That’s where patient access software comes in.
How patient access software benefits patients
By leveraging modern digital tools, patient access software offers patients more speed, convenience and control over their healthcare experience. Patients now have 24/7 access to live online appointment scheduling, registration forms, test results, bill pay and more. Automated patient estimates provide clear, upfront information about the cost of medical services. Patients can also use this software to communicate with their providers. When patients feel more involved in their healthcare journey, outcomes tend to be better, too.
Here’s a closer look at how patient access software helps patients:
- Online patient scheduling offers self-service convenience and the flexibility to schedule from any digital device. Patients can reschedule or cancel appointments online. These tools eliminate the need for lengthy office phone calls and allow patients to book appointments at their convenience.
- Patient intake solutions create better registration experiences by allowing patients to complete registration forms anywhere and anytime.This makes check-in easier and faster. Better technology streamlines the patient experience by removing the frustration of repetitious, manual paperwork.
- An Experian Health study showed that patients spend an average of $675 a year on surprise medical bills, with nearly half spending more than they can afford, thanks to inaccurate estimates. Tools like Patient Financial Advisor can help patients get accurate out-of-pocket estimates, while providing them with personalized payment plans and the ability to pay bills online.
What’s in it for providers?
Better patient access solutions offer healthcare providers countless benefits. In addition to fostering continuous engagement with patients, providers benefit from streamlined administrative processes, reduced appointment no-shows and optimized scheduling. Plus, facilitating better patient engagement and satisfaction tends to improve health outcomes and strengthen patient-provider relationships. Providers that leverage AI and automation also reduce the burden on overworked staff and enhance revenue cycle efficiency, eliminate error-prone manual entry and increase revenue.
Here’s how implementing patient access software helps healthcare providers:
- Automated insurance verification and eligibility tools eliminate the costly human errors that cause claim denials and payment delays. These platforms can verify a patient’s insurance coverage and benefits in seconds, ensuring accurate reimbursements and lower bad debt.
- Electronic prior authorization solutions automate pre-authorization inquiries and lessen the volume of claim rejections. Pre-authorizations are one of the three most common reasons for reimbursement denials.
- Patient payment estimates provide clear, upfront information about the cost of medical services. These tools create a sense of accountability in patients who understand their financial responsibilities before receiving care. Automating this step at patient intake reduces the administrative burden on healthcare staff. It also increases the likelihood that providers get paid and sets the stage for more effective collections when needed.
Improved patient access is a win-win, and better technology is at the heart of patient-centered healthcare. Patient access software is integral in enhancing the efficiency of healthcare delivery, improving patient satisfaction, and optimizing the revenue cycle for healthcare providers. These solutions encompass a variety of technologies and processes designed to facilitate better communication, streamline administrative tasks and ensure timely access to care.
Experian Health offers a suite of patient access software that streamlines the entire patient journey from start to finish. Contact us to learn how these solutions can help healthcare organizations reduce manual errors, decrease claim denials and improve patient experiences.
