Re: phone access/screening

[Guest guest]

Keep us posted. Cost? I'll be interested to see if Google voice works well for you.

Battery pack on the answering machine? Tell me more. Every time the power goes out the machine resets to the default "leave a message" and I have lots of calls but no one talks because it's not my voice on the phone!

To: Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 9:02 PMSubject: RE: Re: Practice fusion

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, NJ

www.qualityfamilypractice.com

Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90

Practice Partner 5/03

Low 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, MD

Branchville, NJ

www.qualityfamilypractice.com

Solo 4/03, Practicing since 9/90

Practice Partner 5/03

Low 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> >>> > >>>

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