A significant component of good oral health is access to quality dental services. Unfortunately, a lack of access has plagued the oral health of millions of Americans for decades. While dental insurance can help make dental care more affordable, it often leaves an out-of-pocket expense, and it’s becoming commonplace for patients not to have dental insurance coverage.
Dental membership programs help stabilize your practice’s finances and help patients afford their dental treatments and preventive care. Therefore, our dental practice consultants at Bryant Consultants share on the blog today nine reasons to offer membership plans to your patients and the benefits you and your patients can experience.
Dental Membership Program Benefits
A dental membership program is a subscription-based program where patients pay a monthly fee to access preventive, restorative, and cosmetic dental care. Patients may choose from multiple membership plans with unique features and benefits suitable for their oral care needs and budget. Our dental office coaches explain that most membership plans include preventive care in the cost of coverage. Meaning that periodic exams, cleanings, and x-rays are included in the membership program. Additionally, most plans offer access to advanced treatments like fillings, crowns, and bridges at a discounted rate. Below are nine reasons membership plans can boost a practice’s bottom line.
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Avoid Relying on Dental Insurance
Dental insurance providers dramatically impact the dental industry with delayed or denied claims and minimal coverage. Unfortunately, patients may become frustrated at their lack of coverage, which may lead to a low case acceptance rate for practices. Joining a dental plan network means you can reduce your insurance company dependence and eliminate time-consuming paperwork.
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Boost Your Practice Value
Predictable cash flow can provide financial stability for your practice. The continuous income increases your practice’s value and helps it grow. With the subscription-based model of dental membership plans, you can predict business fluctuations and monitor practice growth better than relying on insurance payments.
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Increase Recurring Patients
Building a base of returning patients can be challenging, especially if your practice is new. However, when you institute the right program, you can establish several recurring customers. Patients who auto-renew their plan can create a revolving door of patients without the frustration of insurance woes.
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Stabilize Demand Spikes
Demand spikes in the dental industry are harder to predict compared to other industries. Even though seasonality plays a role, following existing patient patterns is tremendously challenging. Program members can reduce and stabilize demand spikes since they have access to oral health services and can schedule appointments anytime.
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Receive Automatic Payments
One of the biggest benefits of dental membership plans is the ability to receive automatic payments. Whenever a patient’s plan auto-renews, your practice gets paid. There are no insurance approvals or denials, and payment receipt is instant.
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Sell More Services
Oral care is not one of the most affordable healthcare options. In most cases, patients take advantage of the membership plan’s coverage, including purchasing additional services that address more complex situations. Therefore, you can sell more services to patients and improve their oral health while strengthening your practice value.
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Reduce Economic Recession Impacts
One and done or high-cost services are typically the first to experience an economic recession impact. Unfortunately, the dental industry depends on insurance providers that focus on revenue over patient care. However, with a dental membership plan, you can stabilize practice income while providing much-needed oral care at an affordable price.
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Build Stronger Patient Relationships
Your dental practice is a cornerstone of the local community. When you offer special oral care programs, most community members will respond and take advantage of the opportunity to receive quality care at an affordable price. Positive patient experiences can naturally create word-of-mouth advertising for your practice and help build stronger patient relationships.
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Create a Smooth Experience for Patients
Delivering great dental services is a major focus for dental practitioners. Unfortunately, a patient’s in-office experience can turn negative when the dental insurance company fails to approve a claim or cover necessary treatments. However, dental membership services can ensure patients have a seamless experience with less frustration each time they come to your dental office.
Dental Practice Consultants
Adding a dental membership program to your current financial options for patient care can increase your income, patient visits, and patient retention and introduce new patients to your practice. Not only will the program boost your bottom line, but it can provide dental care for those without dental insurance or who are on a budget. If you have additional questions about dental membership plans or want to speak with a consultant about your dental practice, feel free to contact our dental office consultants at Bryant Consultants by calling (877) 768-4799.
