3 Tips to Fill a New Provider’s Schedule

patient acquisition

Congratulations! Your pediatric practice is growing with the addition of a new physician. This is a fantastic opportunity to acquire new patients and serve more families in your community. However, new patient acquisition to an unfamiliar provider can feel like a challenge.

Here at Altus Pediatric Billing, we understand the importance of maximizing your practice’s efficiency and profitability. That’s why we’ve compiled these three key strategies to help you acquire new patients and fill your new provider’s schedule quickly and seamlessly.

1. Make a Big Introduction: Building Visibility and Trust

The first step is ensuring every family in your network knows about your fantastic new addition. Here’s how to create a buzz and drive new patient acquisition:

  • Spread the News Across Channels: Craft captivating announcements for email marketing, social media platforms, and your website. Include a warm welcome message, a brief bio highlighting the new physician’s qualifications and experience, and a friendly photo.
  • Go Beyond the Announcement: Don’t just tell, show! Create engaging content featuring your new provider. This could be a short introductory video where families can see and hear them discuss a relevant topic – like common childhood illnesses or tips for healthy development.
  • Leverage Social Proof: Feature patient testimonials (if possible) alongside the new physician’s introduction. This builds trust and encourages families to feel comfortable booking appointments with your new provider. Consider testimonials from previous practices or colleagues, highlighting the doctor’s bedside manner, communication skills, and expertise.

2. Capture New Patients Early: The Newborn Campaign Advantage

Newborns and their parents are prime targets for pediatric practices, offering a chance to establish a long-term relationship and secure ongoing patient acquisition. Here’s how to capitalize on this opportunity with your new provider:

  • Host “Meet the Pediatrician” Events: Organize periodic sessions specifically for expectant parents. This allows them to get acquainted with your practice and the new physician. This familiarity creates a smoother transition to care once their baby arrives. Offer tours of your facilities during these events, showcase any special equipment or amenities you have for children, and provide informative handouts about newborn care.
  • Integrate New Provider Visits into Standard Plans: Streamline the process by including appointments with your new provider within the first year of an infant’s well-check schedule. This proactive approach ensures all babies benefit from the expertise of your new addition. This can also help establish a rapport between the doctor and the child early on, potentially leading to continued care throughout the child’s development.
  • Partner with Local OB-GYNs: Collaboration is key! Reach out to local OB-GYNs and midwives in your area. Inform them about your new provider and request them to recommend your practice to expecting parents searching for a pediatrician. Offer informative lunch sessions or educational workshops for OB-GYN staff to keep them updated on your services and the new provider’s qualifications.

3. Leverage Scheduling Strategies to Streamline Appointment Flow

While some patients have established preferences, appointment times often play a crucial role in patient acquisition decisions. Here’s how to strategically utilize your new provider’s availability:

  • Prioritize New Provider Slots for Openings: When potential patients contact your practice for appointments, prioritize offering slots with your new physician first, especially if they haven’t expressed a specific provider preference. Clearly communicate the benefits of seeing the new doctor, highlighting their expertise, experience, and open availability.
  • Train Your Front Desk Staff: Empower your front desk staff to speak enthusiastically about your new provider’s skills and compassionate approach. Their positive recommendations can significantly influence scheduling decisions and patient acquisition. Provide training materials about the new doctor’s background, areas of focus, and communication style. Encourage staff to answer questions confidently and address any concerns parents might have about seeing a new provider.

Bonus Tip: Highlight Unique Expertise

Does your new provider have specialized training or experience in a particular area, like pediatric sports medicine or developmental pediatrics? Highlight this expertise in your marketing materials to attract families seeking specific care for their children. This can significantly boost patient acquisition efforts. Consider creating targeted content for social media or your website that focuses on the new doctor’s area of expertise. Partner with local organizations or support groups related to the doctor’s specialty to reach a wider audience.

Building a Thriving Pediatric Practice Together

By implementing these patient acquisition strategies, you can effectively fill your new provider’s schedule and ensure they become a valuable asset to your pediatric practice. A full schedule for your new doctor translates to increased revenue for your practice, allowing you to invest in better equipment, expand services, or hire additional staff. This ultimately leads to a better patient experience and a thriving practice.

Remember: At Altus Pediatric Billing, we’re here to support your practice’s success. We offer comprehensive pediatric billing services, allowing you to focus on delivering exceptional patient care while maximizing financial efficiency. Our team of experts can handle all your insurance coding, claims submissions, and denials management, freeing you up to acquire new patients and nurture the relationships with existing families that are the foundation of your practice. 

Book a call with us and start building a thriving pediatric practice that serves your community for years to come.