Everyone wants to get the most out of their purchases, especially when it comes to managed care plans. Patients are no different—they seek to fully utilize the vision benefits they're paying for. As eye care professionals, assisting patients in maximizing these benefits not only fosters greater appreciation for your services but also opens up avenues for increased sales as the year draws to a close. This period, often referred to as benefits season, is pivotal for encouraging patients to take advantage of expiring vision plan benefits.
Here are three strategies to help your patients leverage their managed care to its fullest potential during this critical time:
Initiate Outreach to Patients with Unused Benefits
Many patients are unaware of their soon-to-expire vision benefits, caught up in the hustle of daily life. It's where your role becomes crucial. Start by identifying patients with unused benefits through the vision plan's portal or utilizing specific software tools for eligibility verification.
Reaching out to these patients to schedule appointments before their benefits expire can significantly enhance their satisfaction with your service. Each call is not just a reminder; it's an opportunity to strengthen your patient relationships and promote your eyewear products.
Simplify the Purchase Process
A common reason patients overlook their benefits is the assumption they don't need new eyewear. However, an eye exam might reveal otherwise, or a recent lifestyle change—like a child needing sports eyewear—might necessitate a new pair of glasses.
To encourage the use of benefits, ensure your inventory includes affordable yet high-quality frames within common allowance ranges. If a typical frame allowance is $150, stock options below this price to cater to budget-conscious patients while maintaining healthy margins.
Implement Pre-Appointments for the Following Year
Pre-appointments are a proactive way to ensure patients utilize their vision benefits annually. By scheduling next year's appointments in advance, you increase the likelihood of patients returning for their eye exams and eyewear needs. Tools like EyeCarePro can assist in managing these pre-appointments and sending out reminder notifications to improve show rates.
Prioritize pre-appointments, especially for patients who have historically underutilized their benefits. This approach not only secures future visits but also emphasizes the value you place on their eye health and financial investment in vision care.
Ready to Help Your Patients Maximize Their Benefits?
The final stretch of the year offers a prime opportunity to not only boost your optical sales but also to strengthen the bonds with your patients. By actively assisting them in utilizing their expiring vision benefits, you underscore the importance of regular eye care and the value you provide as their trusted eye care provider. As we approach this benefits season, the question stands: are you prepared to guide your patients through maximizing their vision plan benefits, ensuring they see the value in both their care and their coverage? This proactive stance could be the key to ending the year on a successful note and setting the stage for a flourishing relationship with your patients in the years to come.
