Effective administration in the modern medical office is all about efficiency. The more efficient daily operations are, the more streamlined those operations become. Streamlined operations make for more effective administration at every level. Enter the dynamic duo of the medical answering service and a cloud-based practice management system (PMS).
It is reasonable to assume that the typical medical office staff is aware of both answering services and PMS software. But how many office administrators know the benefits of combining the two? A medical answering service and cloud-based PMS create a winning combination that is hard to beat.
Answering Service Fundamentals
At its core, a medical answering service is a company that gets paid to answer calls on behalf of a medical provider. What that looks like on a day-to-day basis depends on the agreement between service provider and medical office. An answering service can do nothing more than take calls and record messages. But a service could also route calls, provide emergency triage, make appointments, and even send reminders and follow-up messages to patients.
PMS Fundamentals
Next up is the cloud-based PMS. At its core is a software package designed from the ground up to assist with medical office administration. A cutting-edge PMS should streamline everything from recordkeeping to appointment booking to billing and claims processing. A medical office should theoretically not need any other software above and beyond its PMS – at least for administrative purposes.
Benefits of Combining the Two
The easiest way to combine a medical answering service with a cloud-based PMS is to give the answering service access to the existing cloud environment. Permissions can be set up to control data access as needed. Likewise for app access.
Medical answering services may have their own software that integrates with mainstream PMS systems through APIs. In such cases, operators work in a software environment they are familiar with while the software itself interacts with the medical provider’s PMS to exchange data.
Why would a medical office want to combine its answering service with its PMS? Here are just some of the benefits of doing so:
- Better Communication – When answering service and staff communicate through the same cloud environment, everyone stays on the same page. Data is transmitted through a common portal, information is available in real time, and there is less risk of information being lost in transmission from call service to medical provider.
- Remote Access – Combining the two gives both clinicians and office staff remote access to all pertinent information generated by the answering service. Doctors don’t have to call in to get their messages. Business administrators can go right to the portal to view scheduling information. It is all available whether team members are in the office or on the road.
- Enhanced Security – Both medical answering services and medical providers are bound to the provisions of the HIPAA. All information generated by either party must be stored securely. A cloud-based PMS acts as a central storage environment where all information is safeguarded.
- Financial Savings – The efficiencies realized through both cloud-based PMS software and medical answering services lead to additional financial savings when the two are combined. Providers spend less on in-house staff and network infrastructure. They enjoy the benefits of timely call answering without spending a fortune.
We obviously believe in the value of medical answering services. We know you value your organization’s PMS. Let us combine the two for greater efficiency, enhanced security, financial savings, and happier staff and patients. The two are a winning combination that can help medical practices provide better care to more patients.
