Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Sorry, I didn't mean to imply I wasn't going to be offering same day/ next day appointments as a matter of course; I certainly will be. That said, if I'm fully booked during the day and somebody wants to be seen urgently (and the situation isn't an acute emergency) then the overbooker either has to be squeezed between other patients or tacked onto the end of the day. Obviously if this becomes a chronic situation/problem then that's a signal that my panel has gotten too large and something needs to change. But (within reason) I'd really like to encourage my patients to bring in their laundry lists to get many of their problems dealt with at once. If there's a serious situation that needs to be addressed for another patient then so be it, but I that should be the exception, not the norm. Obviously there's a lot of variation being introduced into the process because different patients have different-sized laundry lists. Variation in processes is generally a really bad thing, but there is also going to be some natural buffering in the form of non-urgent "between patients work"--answering e-mails, following up labs, etc., so I think it's going to be okay. We'll see.Ken Ken Sounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you. I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay a normal in network doc. Horvitz stown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question: > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD > >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder > >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc > >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25 > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> "Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged." > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 27, 2012 Report Share Posted January 27, 2012 Open access scheduling indeed depends on panel size If you never prebook more than about 40% of patietn seeing time, for any given day before that day gets here then you should be able to accommodate your panel Squeezing people shouldn;t have to happen becasue you cannot create minutesThough you can owrk through lunch. Occasionally adding on at end of day does need to happen Once you know the patietns and your practice flow you can pre book say most of wednesdays becasue you learn that noone calls then but maybe you prebook only 25% of the time ahead on Mondays becasue everyone calls tehn These micromanaging schedule techniques can be done to the pateitns and practice advantage when you know your patietns needs;cannot do this stuff wellin a larger setting i think.Open access is predicated on the idea that anyone who wants an appointment for any reason can be offered one that day. Period. Best thing I ever learned to do.Jean Sorry, I didn't mean to imply I wasn't going to be offering same day/ next day appointments as a matter of course; I certainly will be. That said, if I'm fully booked during the day and somebody wants to be seen urgently (and the situation isn't an acute emergency) then the overbooker either has to be squeezed between other patients or tacked onto the end of the day. Obviously if this becomes a chronic situation/problem then that's a signal that my panel has gotten too large and something needs to change. But (within reason) I'd really like to encourage my patients to bring in their laundry lists to get many of their problems dealt with at once. If there's a serious situation that needs to be addressed for another patient then so be it, but I that should be the exception, not the norm. Obviously there's a lot of variation being introduced into the process because different patients have different-sized laundry lists. Variation in processes is generally a really bad thing, but there is also going to be some natural buffering in the form of non-urgent " between patients work " --answering e-mails, following up labs, etc., so I think it's going to be okay. We'll see. Ken Ken Sounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you. I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay a normal in network doc. Horvitz stown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question: > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD > >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder > >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc > >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25 > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > -- MD ph fax Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk.KenSent from my iPad Ken Sounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you. I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitz stown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question: > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD > >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder > >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc > >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25 > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> "Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged." > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Can you not forward your office number to your cell? That way, calls from patients would show your office number on the caller ID? AT & T will do call forwarding, I know. You must have to remember to do it every day, so perhaps not as smooth as Google Voice. Pratt Myria,That is my set up also. But I have had patients keep my cell phone number and just call it. They say they didn’t realize it was my cell phone but they really should recognize it’s not a landline business number. When I am not working, I am not glued to my phone and don’t always notice the message came in. Or get mad at the inappropriate interruption. That’s why I am considering using Google voice as the intermediary. That way, I can tell if it’s a patient calling or not. I also don’t have to worry about people keeping my cell phone number as google voice would be the contact and don’t have to keep changing the message on the answering machines. Power outages will still be a little bit of a problem although I have put battery back-up on the answering machines and phones now. Kathy Saradarian, MD Branchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03 Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Myria Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:55 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I have a much smaller practice and most everyone calls my office and I change the answering machine to direct them to my home and cell or to the covering doctor when I'm away. I have never gotten calls while on vacation. To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion I use an answering machine. Also, you could let calls go to voice mail so you can call them back if appropriate. I am looking into Google Voice as the intermediary before my cell phone too. It looks like a promising solution. The reason being that I don’t want people calling my cell when I am not working, on vacation or signed out to a covering doctor. If they just call my cell directly, they won’t get care. Kathy Saradarian, MD Branchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90 Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Ken Stone Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:38 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk. Ken Sent from my iPad KenSounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you.I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitzstown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question:> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD> >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder> >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc> >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Not a bad idea. In fact, my wife and I have already been discussing the possibility of me doing just that. I've already got plans to be hanging with a local IMP (Dr. Moyer) in this area (York, PA) for a week or maybe even two this coming April, but it certainly wouldn't hurt to broaden the exposure to get more of a sense of how others are operating their practices, particularly solo practices, and I'm fortunate in that I do have a fair amount of elective time and flexibility in terms of how I spend it. I'm pretty sure my program director would be agreeable to anything within reason. So... anyone on this list practicing in... ...Hawaii? :^) (Okay, so maybe HI is a bit further off the beaten path than I can afford to get to, airfare-wise. )Other suggestions? Offers? Should I plan a trip to Colorado Springs? :^) I'd really like to see at least one solo practice that's making prominent use of automation. I haven't really spent enough time checking out the IMP wiki just yet to go through the various available tools that are out there, but that's on my 'to-do' list once I'm done with my current (ICU) rotation. Ken Ken, Since you are still in residency (right?) have you considered hanging out with a few different IMP folks for a few weeks to see the different styles/formats etc before launching your own?? If you have elective time left you might even be able to do this and get credit!Maybe IMP should start a rotation??Dannielle Harwood, MDTo: " " < >Sent: Fri, January 27, 2012 4:37:54 PMSubject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk.KenSent from my iPad Ken Sounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you. I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitz stown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question: > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD > >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder > >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc > >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25 > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> "Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged." > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > > > Reply to sender | Reply to group | Reply via web post | Start a New Topic Messages in this topic (25) Recent Activity: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 ,I think I could get call forwarding, but it’s at a cost. Problem with that is that patients won’t get a message or be able to leave a message which is what most patients are calling about. Also, if coverage changes I would have to go to office and reprogram the phones.   Every time there is a power outage, the phones don’t work either. The answering machines have battery back-up so messages aren’t lost but the phones can’t ring anyway. So I decided to get a UPS for them so the phones will run for a little while. Of course I haven’t had a power outage since. But this keeps the answering machines from resetting every time there is a blip in the power too. I didn’t lose outgoing message because they have a battery. Having a constant off hours number that people could keep will also help eliminate difficulties during power outages and Google voice would allow that. I just program Google voice to call me or my covering doctor and the patients always call Google Voice. Which is free. I haven’t done it yet but will let you know. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of PrattSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 9:40 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion Can you not forward your office number to your cell? That way, calls from patients would show your office number on the caller ID? AT & T will do call forwarding, I know. You must have to remember to do it every day, so perhaps not as smooth as Google Voice. Pratt Myria,That is my set up also. But I have had patients keep my cell phone number and just call it. They say they didn’t realize it was my cell phone but they really should recognize it’s not a landline business number. When I am not working, I am not glued to my phone and don’t always notice the message came in. Or get mad at the inappropriate interruption. That’s why I am considering using Google voice as the intermediary. That way, I can tell if it’s a patient calling or not. I also don’t have to worry about people keeping my cell phone number as google voice would be the contact and don’t have to keep changing the message on the answering machines. Power outages will still be a little bit of a problem although I have put battery back-up on the answering machines and phones now. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of MyriaSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:55 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I have a much smaller practice and most everyone calls my office and I change the answering machine to direct them to my home and cell or to the covering doctor when I'm away. I have never gotten calls while on vacation. To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion I use an answering machine. Also, you could let calls go to voice mail so you can call them back if appropriate. I am looking into Google Voice as the intermediary before my cell phone too. It looks like a promising solution. The reason being that I don’t want people calling my cell when I am not working, on vacation or signed out to a covering doctor. If they just call my cell directly, they won’t get care. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.comSolo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Ken StoneSent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:38 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk. Ken Sent from my iPad KenSounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you.I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money.I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you.Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitzstown, NJ> >> > >>> > >>> PF question:> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist?> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD> >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder> >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc> >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Kathy and karen, and I use 8x8 an a internet phone company. Lines are about $20- 40/month. They are full featured. They have custom mesages for different times of day and vacation messages that you can set up. You can create a multitude of options. That said, we have used it to call forward for the last year to our cell phones by Verizon. It has worked so well we have eliminated our pager this year. I have a goal of having two monitors in the office one running my emr the other running 8x8 phone service which can take messages and send wave file to an email account. I am told you can click on the email to hear the message and click again to return the call via your computer. This way I could see calls coming in without the phone on during appointments. These would be non urgeant calls. I would have an option for emergency, hospital, or physican calls which would call forward to cell, so if cell phone rang during appointment I would be able to answer the important calls immediately. I am still working on the details, but the call forwarding works keeps your number private unless you return call via cell. I believe *67 blocks your number from any phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 We have a phone system on UPS backup. " press 1 for appt, 2 for...., 9 to reach the doc on his cell, " etc. I can program it however i want. We are considering joining forces with another provider and will likely keep this system (also looking at a move to less expensive space), but add a cell phone line that would be the number to which pressing 9 would go to. But Google Voice would also be an option, so I will look into that. The cell phone will either be carried by MD on call or will get forwarded to the cell phone of the MD on call. Details to be worked out later. We have 2 staff in the office (MA plus either me or our PTreceptionist) plus Steve, so phones are always answered during business hours. We have call forwarding on our main line at the office, which I can do remotely. It is free with the type of service that we have. But we haven't used it in years.I use *67 all the time when returning calls from home. Pratt Kathy and karen, and I use 8x8 an a internet phone company. Lines are about $20- 40/month. They are full featured. They have custom mesages for different times of day and vacation messages that you can set up. You can create a multitude of options. That said, we have used it to call forward for the last year to our cell phones by Verizon. It has worked so well we have eliminated our pager this year. I have a goal of having two monitors in the office one running my emr the other running 8x8 phone service which can take messages and send wave file to an email account. I am told you can click on the email to hear the message and click again to return the call via your computer. This way I could see calls coming in without the phone on during appointments. These would be non urgeant calls. I would have an option for emergency, hospital, or physican calls which would call forward to cell, so if cell phone rang during appointment I would be able to answer the important calls immediately. I am still working on the details, but the call forwarding works keeps your number private unless you return call via cell. I believe *67 blocks your number from any phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 If you forward the phone to your cell, then you can let your cell voicemail take care of the message part. Call forwarding can usually be done remotely. But I know people who use Google Voice and are very happy with it (my IT geek brother being one) and it sounds like it would be a good option for you. Pratt ,I think I could get call forwarding, but it’s at a cost. Problem with that is that patients won’t get a message or be able to leave a message which is what most patients are calling about. Also, if coverage changes I would have to go to office and reprogram the phones. Every time there is a power outage, the phones don’t work either. The answering machines have battery back-up so messages aren’t lost but the phones can’t ring anyway. So I decided to get a UPS for them so the phones will run for a little while. Of course I haven’t had a power outage since. But this keeps the answering machines from resetting every time there is a blip in the power too. I didn’t lose outgoing message because they have a battery. Having a constant off hours number that people could keep will also help eliminate difficulties during power outages and Google voice would allow that. I just program Google voice to call me or my covering doctor and the patients always call Google Voice. Which is free. I haven’t done it yet but will let you know. Kathy Saradarian, MD Branchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03 Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Pratt Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 9:40 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion Can you not forward your office number to your cell? That way, calls from patients would show your office number on the caller ID? AT & T will do call forwarding, I know. You must have to remember to do it every day, so perhaps not as smooth as Google Voice. Pratt Myria,That is my set up also. But I have had patients keep my cell phone number and just call it. They say they didn’t realize it was my cell phone but they really should recognize it’s not a landline business number. When I am not working, I am not glued to my phone and don’t always notice the message came in. Or get mad at the inappropriate interruption. That’s why I am considering using Google voice as the intermediary. That way, I can tell if it’s a patient calling or not. I also don’t have to worry about people keeping my cell phone number as google voice would be the contact and don’t have to keep changing the message on the answering machines. Power outages will still be a little bit of a problem although I have put battery back-up on the answering machines and phones now. Kathy Saradarian, MD Branchville, NJwww.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03 Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Myria Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:55 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I have a much smaller practice and most everyone calls my office and I change the answering machine to direct them to my home and cell or to the covering doctor when I'm away. I have never gotten calls while on vacation. To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 8:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion I use an answering machine. Also, you could let calls go to voice mail so you can call them back if appropriate. I am looking into Google Voice as the intermediary before my cell phone too. It looks like a promising solution. The reason being that I don’t want people calling my cell when I am not working, on vacation or signed out to a covering doctor. If they just call my cell directly, they won’t get care. Kathy Saradarian, MDBranchville, NJ www.qualityfamilypractice.com Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90Practice Partner 5/03 Low staffing From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Ken Stone Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 7:38 PMTo: Subject: Re: Re: Practice fusion I didn't say this earlier but thanks for the advice, to both you and as well as to anyone else who cares to share what they've learned trying to do this style of practice. It feels a little scary to offer unlimited 24-hour access, but for most patients I think you've definitely got a good point about them trying to go out of their way to not to bother me if they don't need to. I've (knock on wood) fortunately had very good luck with the patients whom I've entrusted my cell number to so far; hopefully that luck will continue once I'm finished with residency. That said, I'm still wondering if anyone knows of a good mechanism to use to screen calls without an answering service, should that ever become necessary. I'm envisioning maybe a disgruntled narcs seeker or someone seeking disability who expects on some level that paying me a fee should entitle him or her to a little quid pro quo. It seems slightly unlikely, but it only takes one such person to trash my ability to sleep through the night if they feel like being a total jerk. Ken Sent from my iPad KenSounds like you are setting up your ideal practice, but is it ideal to those who choose to pay you.I have not taken insurance other than Medicare since 2008. My views, and rules have changed as I see what patients want for their money. I have found they want competency, trust, value and most of all access. Part of access is allowing for same or next day visits. My advice is not to nickel and dime your retainer patients over time they call you. If they truly trust you have their best interests at heart, they will go out of their way NOT to bother you. Trust goes both ways, but remember that they are paying you, and more than they would pay anormal in network doc. Horvitzstown, NJ > >> > >>> > >>> PF question:> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> How do you enter in-house labs. I know how to order labs but can’t quite figure out how to enter results. Anyone using Practice fusion can assist? > >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> Izquierdo-Porrera MD PhD> >>> > >>> Executive Director & Co-founder> >>> > >>> Care for Your Health, Inc> >>> > >>> Phone 240 844 25> >>> > >>> > >>> > >>> " Don't ever let injustice go by unchallenged. " > >>> > >>> > >>> > >> > >> > > > > > > > >> Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 Google voice can be extremely flexible. It can be a one call solution in which people can call one phone number and it can ring every phone you sign up with it--cell or land line. People can leave messages on your phone which send you an email notification and in most cases a transcript of the voice mail message. You can even set Google voice so you can listen in on calls to screen before you hit a number to pick up. You can even set it so you can ring certain phones at different times of the day. You can even identify certain numbers to block without a ring or to go just to voice mail. It can be an amazingly powerful service--and its ALL FREE! I just never really had a chance to use it much in my prior job or current job--but in my current work situation...well based on prior experience with the quality of messages from the phone teams from old jobs, I wonder if automated message transcription from google is superior to a high school graduate taking a message on the phone. At least you can listen to the actual audio of the message on google voice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 I use google voice ( 2 different numbers), dont carry a pager, my cell phone forwards to a google voice number( love android), and vonage's voice mail. Works fabulously and I dont even think about it. My only concern( latest) is I need to leave specific instructions if something happens to me to change the message and tell my patients what to do, because nobody knows the thingamajig other than me Sangeetha Kathy and karen, and I use 8x8 an a internet phone company. Lines are about $20- 40/month. They are full featured. They have custom mesages for different times of day and vacation messages that you can set up. You can create a multitude of options. That said, we have used it to call forward for the last year to our cell phones by Verizon. It has worked so well we have eliminated our pager this year. I have a goal of having two monitors in the office one running my emr the other running 8x8 phone service which can take messages and send wave file to an email account. I am told you can click on the email to hear the message and click again to return the call via your computer. This way I could see calls coming in without the phone on during appointments. These would be non urgeant calls. I would have an option for emergency, hospital, or physican calls which would call forward to cell, so if cell phone rang during appointment I would be able to answer the important calls immediately. I am still working on the details, but the call forwarding works keeps your number private unless you return call via cell. I believe *67 blocks your number from any phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 28, 2012 Report Share Posted January 28, 2012 and skype on my android too,Sangeetha I use google voice ( 2 different numbers), dont carry a pager, my cell phone forwards to a google voice number( love android), and vonage's voice mail. Works fabulously and I dont even think about it. My only concern( latest) is I need to leave specific instructions if something happens to me to change the message and tell my patients what to do, because nobody knows the thingamajig other than me Sangeetha Kathy and karen, and I use 8x8 an a internet phone company. Lines are about $20- 40/month. They are full featured. They have custom mesages for different times of day and vacation messages that you can set up. You can create a multitude of options. That said, we have used it to call forward for the last year to our cell phones by Verizon. It has worked so well we have eliminated our pager this year. I have a goal of having two monitors in the office one running my emr the other running 8x8 phone service which can take messages and send wave file to an email account. I am told you can click on the email to hear the message and click again to return the call via your computer. This way I could see calls coming in without the phone on during appointments. These would be non urgeant calls. I would have an option for emergency, hospital, or physican calls which would call forward to cell, so if cell phone rang during appointment I would be able to answer the important calls immediately. I am still working on the details, but the call forwarding works keeps your number private unless you return call via cell. I believe *67 blocks your number from any phone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.