{"id":3005,"date":"2025-01-10T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-01-10T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/?p=3005"},"modified":"2025-01-10T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T11:00:00","slug":"how-patient-self-service-improves-patient-access","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/?p=3005","title":{"rendered":"How patient self-service improves patient access"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-service patient access is a growing trend that\u2019s here to stay. Tech-savvy patients want to see their doctor faster and don\u2019t want to jump through complicated hoops to schedule an appointment, complete their registration paperwork or pay their medical bills. Opening the digital front door must be a priority for providers who want to keep pace with evolving patient expectations. That\u2019s why 79% of providers plan to invest in patient access improvements soon, according to Experian Health\u2019s 2024 State of Patient Access survey<\/strong><\/a> data.<\/p>\n

This article takes a closer look at what patient self-service means and why it should be a top consideration for today\u2019s revenue cycle leaders. <\/p>\n

What is patient self-service?<\/h2>\n

Patient self-service is a collection of digital tools<\/a><\/strong> that offer patients more access at every step of the patient journey. Building on innovations that gained momentum during the pandemic, like telehealth and virtual care, today\u2019s tech-driven patient self-service experiences offer a seamless patient engagement<\/a><\/strong> experience, from scheduling<\/a><\/strong> to collections. <\/p>\n

Patients use self-service tools to easily connect with providers online and manage administrative tasks 24\/7. Common patient self-service tools include patient portals<\/a><\/strong>, online scheduling and mobile registration<\/a><\/strong>. Self-service solutions also include robust financial tools that help patients check eligibility<\/a><\/strong>, complete their insurance information, get accurate estimates<\/a><\/strong>, apply for charity care and set up payment plans<\/strong><\/a>.<\/a><\/p>\n

Why should providers prioritize patient self-service?<\/h2>\n

Providers that prioritize self-service tools<\/a><\/strong> to give patients more access gain a competitive edge in today\u2019s challenging healthcare landscape. Clunky manual processes and outdated systems frustrate patients and burden staff, often resulting in scheduling gaps, claims delays, increased denials and other revenue cycle<\/strong><\/a> disruptions. In today\u2019s fast-moving digital world, patients want it to be as easy to book a medical appointment as it is to order takeout from an app.<\/p>\n

However, according to Experian Health data, just 28% of patients<\/strong><\/a> feel access improved in 2023, while more than half (51%) said patient access remained fairly static since the previous year. The data also shows that 60% of patients<\/strong><\/a> are looking for more digital and mobile options, with roughly the same percentage saying they\u2019d consider switching providers to get the access they crave.<\/p>\n

Providers seeking to boost patient satisfaction and shore up a sustainable revenue cycle must invest in a digital front door<\/a><\/strong> that includes the self-service tools patients demand across the patient journey\u2014from patient intake to collections. Healthcare organizations that prioritize implementing these self-service solutions free up overburdened staff from tedious, time-consuming administrative tasks, keep provider schedules full, reduce claim denials and increase revenue.<\/p>\n

Current challenges in patient access<\/h2>\n

The healthcare industry continues to face ongoing challenges that affect patient access. Some of the top obstacles include:<\/p>\n

Outdated systems and processes<\/h2>\n

The healthcare landscape is riddled with complex, disconnected and often archaic administrative systems. In fact, around 25% of patients<\/strong><\/a> say they delay care due to administrative obstacles, and 85% are tired of filling out paperwork<\/a><\/strong> after providing the information elsewhere. Today\u2019s patients desire frictionless, digital solutions that make it easy to schedule an appointment, submit personal information, understand the cost of care and make secure medical bill payments.<\/p>\n

Ongoing staffing shortages<\/h2>\n

According to the American Hospital Association (AMA)<\/a><\/strong>, staffing shortages aren\u2019t expected to let up anytime soon. By 2028, the healthcare industry will face a shortage of around 100,000 critical workers. Ongoing staff shortages<\/a><\/strong> put increased pressure on a strained healthcare system to keep up with patient care and administrative tasks.<\/p>\n

Difficulties keeping up with rising healthcare costs<\/h2>\n

Healthcare affordability continues to decline, with around 50% of Americans<\/a><\/strong> reporting that paying medical bills is a struggle. Understanding how much insurance covers is also an obstacle, with more than half<\/a><\/strong> of patients reporting they need their provider\u2019s help to understand how much insurance pays.<\/p>\n

Growing patient volumes<\/h2>\n

Short-staffed healthcare organizations are treating more patients than ever before. AMA data<\/a><\/strong> reports that providers saw more patients in 2024, compared to 2019. However, this growing demand for healthcare isn\u2019t the only issue burdening overtaxed healthcare organizations. Today\u2019s patients are also sicker and have more complex care needs than they did five years ago.<\/p>\n

Benefits of patient self-service solutions<\/h2>\n

Self-service solutions offer many benefits to both patients and providers across the entire revenue cycle. Here\u2019s a closer look at three ways patient self-service solutions improve patient access.<\/p>\n

Boosts patient volume<\/h2>\n

It\u2019s clear the demand for digital tools is a trend that\u2019s here to stay. Patients want more access and are prepared to switch providers to get it. Providers that adopt self-service technology are more likely to retain existing patients and make positive first impressions with new patients. In today\u2019s highly competitive healthcare landscape, frictionless patient engagement experiences for scheduling, registration, estimates and payments are key to patient satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Patient self-service tools, like mobile registration, let patients complete registration forms at their earliest convenience. Automated patient intake solutions, such as Experian Health\u2019s Registration Accelerator<\/a><\/strong>, help providers save time and verify important patient details quickly. Patients can begin registration with one click, with a text-to-mobile experience, which improves booking rates and reduces administrative burdens.<\/p>\n

Conserves valuable staff time<\/h2>\n

When staff are overworked, patient access and care often suffer. Self-service tools empower patients to handle numerous administrative tasks, like<\/span>sched<\/span>uling<\/strong><\/a>and bill payments, with little to no staff help needed. Patients get the 24\/7 access they crave, and staff spend less time on patient communication, training and other manual tasks.<\/p>\n

Self-service tools like <\/a>Patient Schedule<\/a><\/strong> automate scheduling workflows while integrating seamlessly with provider appointment criteria and calendars. Patients can make, change or cancel appointments online, with no login required. Reminders for appointments<\/a><\/strong> are sent to patients automatically via text or interactive voice response (IVR), allowing busy administrative staff to spend less time on the phone. Other tools like Experian Health\u2019s Self-Service\u00a0Patient Financial Clearance<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0solution allows patients to upload forms and complete eligibility checks on their mobile devices<\/strong><\/a>, without having to reach out to their providers.<\/span> <\/p>\n

Improves financial transparency and boosts revenue<\/h2>\n

Patients want to know how much care will cost before seeing their provider. Healthcare organizations that offer accurate, real-time estimates are more likely to have patients who are better prepared to cover their medical bills. In fact, 80% of patients<\/strong><\/a> say understanding their financial responsibility helps them better prepare to cover the bill, according to Experian Health data.<\/p>\n

Self-service solutions that allow patients to access transparent pricing and billing options, like Experian Health\u2019s Patient Payment Estimates<\/strong><\/a>, help patients make a plan to pay. Patients get real-time estimates through an easy-access text link or the web-based app. Digital payment solutions, like PatientSimple\u00ae<\/strong><\/a>, ease cost concerns by allowing patients to apply for charity, make secure payments, set up flexible payment plans and more.<\/p>\n

See it in action: improving patient access with digital solutions<\/h2>\n

How IU Health<\/a><\/strong> used patient scheduling tools to boost patient satisfaction and improve operational efficiency even as patient volumes increased.<\/p>\n

How Banner Medical Group<\/a><\/strong> uses Patient Estimates to boost patient satisfaction and meet compliance requirements.<\/p>\n

How West Tennessee Healthcare<\/a><\/strong> modernized patient intake with automation.<\/p>\n

Give patients the control they crave with self-service<\/h2>\n

Digital solutions that put patients in the driver\u2019s seat are a win-win for patients and providers. With self-service tools, patients are empowered to manage key aspects of the patient experience across the entire patient journey. They\u2019re more likely to get the care they need, show up for appointments, be prepared to cover the cost and even benefit from better patient outcomes, according to data from a 2024 HIMSS study<\/a><\/strong>. Providers see reduced no-show rates, spend less time on manual tasks and experience more financial stability. <\/p>\n

Find out more about how Experian Health\u2019s <\/em>patient engagement solutions<\/a><\/strong><\/em> help healthcare organizations improve the patient experience at every stage of the patient journey.<\/p>\n

\nLearn more<\/a>\n

Contact us<\/a>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The post How patient self-service improves patient access<\/a> appeared first on Healthcare Blog<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Self-service patient access is a growing trend that\u2019s here to stay. Tech-savvy patients want to see their doctor faster and don\u2019t want to jump through complicated hoops to schedule an appointment, complete their registration paperwork or pay their medical bills. Opening the digital front door must be a priority for providers who want to keep…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":3006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3005"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3005"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3005\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/3006"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3005"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3005"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/medical-article.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3005"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}