Appointment Scheduling Systems

1. Comprehensive Medical Assisting, 3rd Ed Unit Two: Fundamentals of Administrative Medical Assisting Chapter 6 – Managing Appointments

2. Appointment Scheduling Systems Manual Appointment Scheduling The appointment book should have space for Each provider’s appointments Appointment info, including patients’ name, phone numbers, and reasons for visits Establish the matrix; cross out unavailable times Meetings, vacations, rounds, “buffers” Review carefully and communicate with staff Document all cancellations and reschedules

3. Sample Page From a Manual Appointment Book

4. Appointment Scheduling Systems Computerized Appointment Scheduling Main advantage: Convenience One-time entry of repeating schedule components Easy search for available appointment times Many useful printout formats Interface with account information

5. Types of Scheduling Structured Appointments –Each patient is allotted a fixed time and duration Advantages Optimum use of time and facility Opportunity for advance preparation Disadvantage – Patients may need more time than expected Pin down time needs Incorporate “buffer” time

6. Types of Scheduling Structured Appointments –Methods Clustering patients with similar needs Wave or modified wave – Multiple patients scheduled in blocks Fixed – Each patient assigned a specific time and duration Streaming – Time is allotted according to anticipated need Double booking – Two patients for each time slot

7. Types of Scheduling Flexible Hours – Different times on different days Accommodate patients and providers with varied schedules Open hours –First come, first serve Eliminates some patient complaints Effective time management is difficult Can raise confidentiality issues

8. Factors that Affect Scheduling Patients’ Needs Reason for appointment Duration of symptoms Acute or chronic condition Most convenient time Transportation constraints • Staff to be seen • Third-party payer constraints • Documentation requirements You control the schedule; don’t let it control you!

9. Factors that Affect Scheduling Providers’ Preferences and Needs Adjust to each provider’s punctuality habits Allow each provider time for other duties Receive and return calls Review reports Dictate notes Outside duties Establish protocols for unscheduled visitors

10. Factors that Affect Scheduling Physical Facilities Number of users Amount of space Quantity and availability of equipment Understand the space and equipment required.

11. Scheduling Guidelines General Guidelines Always write the patient’s phone number on the schedule Leave open time slots every day to accommodate problems Be pleasant and helpful

12. Scheduling Guidelines New Patients Get patient contact, referrer, and payer information Explain payment policy and paperwork needs Give directions, establish a message protocol, and confirm the date and time Check your own work Contact the referring physician The first encounter is critical.

13. Scheduling Guidelines New Patients Check the schedule for possible conflicts Offer a specific date and time Put the patient’s name and phone number on the schedule Provide the patient with an appointment card Check your work

14. Patient Reminders Appointment Cards Include the patient’s name, date and time of appointment, and physician’s name and phone number Try to keep series on the same day and time Provide a card for the next appointment only Write in ink

15. An Appointment Card Will Help the Patient Remember His or Her Appointment and Reduce No Shows

16. Patient Reminders Telephone Reminders Call the day before using the phone number agreed Keep it simple, including your name, your office, and the appointment date and time Check the move-up list and document the call Mailed Reminder Cards Send at least a week before Maintain stock postcards and a tickler file for annual examination reminders

17. Sample Reminder Postcard

18. Adapting the Schedule Emergencies Have policies to determine can the emergency be treated in the office? Have questionnaires to evaluate for a constellation of symptoms Patients Who Are Acutely Ill Obtain the information the physician needs to decide when the patient should be seen

19. Adapting the Schedule Walk-In Patients See emergencies ASAP; refer decisions to physician Work in or reschedule Late Patients The patient must wait until the physician is free Establish an office rescheduling policy Schedule habitually late patients at the end of the day

20. Adapting the Schedule Physician Delays Call patients as soon as possible to reschedule Inform patients in the waiting room at once Missed Appointments Determine the reason and reschedule Notify the physician of habitual no-shows Document, document, document!

21. Cancellations By the Office Notify patients ASAP; ask the patients to call to reschedule Apologize to patients in the office By the Patient Determine the reason Make sure patient understands the need for follow-up Check the move-up list to fill the vacancy Notify the physician of habitual no-shows Document, document, document!

22. Making Appointments for Patientsin Other Facilities Referrals and Consultations Check insurance requirements, including precertification and paperwork. Is the physician on the preferred list? Provide physician and patient contact info, including the reason and urgency and whether it is a consultation or referral Record the call Ask for notice of no-show Provide written notice to the patient If patient makes an appointment, ask for notice

23. Making Appointments for Patientsin Other Facilities Diagnostic Testing Get instructions – What test(s), how soon Get patient conflicts Provide the laboratory with patient info, patient lab and appointment info Provide the patient with verbal and written explanation of any required preparation Document the appointment and post the target date for results in your tickler file

24. Making Appointments for Patientsin Other Facilities Surgery Determine and follow precertification requirements Call the facility with the physician’s requirements – Patient info and insurance info and precertification number Provide the patient with any preadmission forms or instructions Write down dates, times, and locations for the patient Document the appointment If necessary, arrange for hospital admission

25. When the Appointment Schedule Does Not Work If problems are frequent Evaluate 2 to 3 months of the schedule Involve all staff in your study Identify persistent problems Habitual lateness Insufficient time allotted Too many staff make appointments Adjust routines to address the problem

26. End of Presentation