Automated Patient Database Reminders

Automated Patient Database Reminders

Let's face it. The audiology profession has been about 20 years behind similar industries in marketing tools and strategies. Every office played the same expensive game of sending out mail and paying for large newspaper ads and it worked. We know that game has changed, but there is another game that many hearing healthcare professionals aren’t even playing at all–database marketing.

The audiology profession is FINALLY coming around to the idea of automation and engaging with their database through automated direct mail, text, and email but there are several different ways to connect with your database without annoying them with obvious ads. Here are a few important and helpful database marketing strategies that your patients will appreciate.

 Insurance Renewal Reminders

Whether your patients have purchased their hearing aids through private insurance or third party providers, most policies have a renewal date that makes them eligible for new hearing aids. For example, if a patient is eligible for new hearing aids every three years, you should have a system in place that reminds the patient when their three years is up and bring them back into the office. 

 Automated Patient Upgrade Generation

This simple automated reminder keeps the patient in the latest technology which provides better hearing performance and patient satisfaction. Of course, it also provides your practice with revenue and returning patients that are happy and loyal. 

Warranty Renewal Reminders

This is the same idea as the insurance renewal reminder but catered more towards the private pay clients. At the very least, it reminds the patient how long they have had the hearing instruments and may want to take a look at the newer technology out there. It's a great opportunity to allow a demonstration of new devices while their as in for end of warranty service.

Or, if you offer extended warranty plans, you can set this automation to remind your patients when the manufacturer warranty is about to expire and suggest the extension.

Clean and Check

If you really want to keep your database engaged and coming back to the office regularly, set each patient up with automated reminders to come in for their clean and check appointments. This allows you to continue to nurture the patient relationship and ensure their devices are working properly. We recommend setting this automation frequency for 1-3 months depending on how busy the practice is. You can also set reminders for annual hearing evaluations and programming.

Benefits of Automating

If you have ever hit a slow patch and started pulling patient charts from the filing cabinet to see who has not been in the office in a while, this strategy eliminates that tedious and awkward task. Reminding the patients in your database to schedule time with you to keep them hearing at their best shows that you care about their successful outcomes and develops brand loyalty to your practice. 

Not sure how to start? There are  quite a few general customer relationship management systems that can be formatted to work with your database if you have some experience with integration. Or, you can go with the first and only customer relationship management system designed specifically for the audiology profession–amplifyCRM PRO. Patient database automation is just one of the many features that can move your practice into the modern age of marketing.