What if there was a way you could send patients a bill with a 98% open rate and a 209% higher response rate than phone, email, or other forms of messaging? The technology Is available now, and it’s something most people are familiar and comfortable with—text-to-pay.
If your practice or healthcare system is not using text-to-pay, you are missing out on a valuable tool for collecting patient payments faster and more effectively. According to Health Leaders Media, 65% of consumers pay their bill after the first text notification.
Let’s say you are convinced. Making the decision to add a text-to-pay option for your patients is a great first step, but that’s not the end of the story.
Here are a few tips and tricks for effective use of text-to-pay technology.
Get consent
Before you can send messages of this type, you must receive consent from your patient. This consent must be for billing texts only. Separate consents must be obtained for any other type of messaging you send, so make sure billing messages contain billing verbiage only.
Character limits are key
Don’t forget that all messages must be 160 characters or less. While you can combine several shorter messages into one longer one, this is not considered a best practice.
Keep it light
A friendly and gently worded text message is more likely to elicit a response than a harshly worded one. This is especially important these days with rising inflation and crazy gas prices. Most people want to pay their bills, so keep this is mind when composing your messages.
Create a sense of urgency
While you want the overall feeling of the message to positive, studies show that people are more likely to follow through on an action to avoid a negative consequence than to encourage a positive one.
Do: “Hi, [Patient Name] Your statement is now available. Just sending a friendly reminder you can avoid late fees by clicking here to pay now.”
Don’t: “Hi, [Patient Name]. Your statement is now ready. Enjoy payment convenience by paying your bill now”
Collecting from patients can be hard, but it doesn’t have to be! Health iPASS not only offers text-to-pay technology, but also an entire suite of patient financial engagement products including 100% mobile patient intake, check-in, and payments. We also offer an Advanced eBilling solution that has the power to eliminate aged A/R and slash your collection costs. If your practice of healthcare system would like to learn more about our solutions, click here to schedule a demo.
