Practice plan Regional Support Manager, Donna Hall, outlines what you need to know if you’re thinking of switching dental plan provider.
I’ve spent the last 11 years helping dental practices transition their patients from other providers to Practice Plan. If you’re considering making the move, you’re not alone as many practices switch for a variety of reasons, and my role is to make that process as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Why switch?
The first question to ask is: ‘Are you happy with the support and service you’re receiving from your current plan provider’? Take into consideration the fees you pay and whether they reflect the value you’re getting. Would you like more than just a transactional relationship?
At Practice Plan, we won’t simply transfer your patients, we’ll help nurture your team and identify opportunities to grow your plan base. More plan patients mean greater financial security for your practice and stronger patient loyalty. As a Practice Plan practice you’ll also gain access to a whole host of resources to help you run your business such as training, events, marketing as well as a library of blogs and podcasts and other online resources.
With today’s high costs-of-living, patients appreciate the ability to spread the cost of routine dentistry. A membership plan gives them that flexibility and makes them feel part of something unique to your practice. As we tailor every plan to your needs, you can feel reassured your packages are fit for purpose and priced correctly.
How does the switch work?
One of the questions I am asked most frequently is: ‘Will this be complicated?’ The short answer is ‘no’. Our Easy Switch process is designed to take the stress out of transitioning to us.
We move patients on a like-for-like basis which means whether they’re on a capitation or a care plan, they’ll keep the same terms. The same is the case for maintenance or essentials plans. There’s no need for patients to rejoin (or do anything!), so the risk of losing any of them is minimal.
We handle the communication with your current provider, so there’s no need for you to have that awkward conversation with them. We also manage patient communications, ensuring they know what’s happening and when their first payment will be collected. If you want to take the opportunity to increase your fees during the switch, we’ll guide you through how to go about doing that too.
Training and Support
Before any letters go out, we make sure your team is thoroughly trained on what the switch means for them and your patients. They’ll understand the transition process and the new plans you’ll offer moving forward.
Many practices don’t realise they can refresh their membership packages during a switch. There’s no need to feel you’re tied to your old plans. We can close outdated plans to new joiners and create new ones with benefits that suit your current needs. These can include family discounts, hygiene-only plans, or children’s packages.
For your peace of mind, we’ll keep you informed at every stage of the process. You’ll see all patient communications before they’re sent, and once the transfer is complete, you’ll have access to our self-service portal, Supportal, to manage your plan patients easily and conveniently. We even help tidy up your admin, cross-referencing data to ensure no one slips through the net.
Will I lose patients?
This is an understandable concern. However, losing patients because you’ve changed plan provider is not a common occurrence. Occasionally, a patient may cancel because communication about the change has reminded them, they’re on a plan, especially if they haven’t been attending regularly. This is why we encourage practices to stay on top of recalls and appointments. Ultimately, for patients it’s not about who collects the money, it’s about the relationship they have with you and they value being part of your practice.
Will it disrupt my practice?
Change can feel disruptive, but our process is simple and requires very little extra work from your team. We provide FAQs and train your team members so they feel empowered to answer patient questions confidently. Even direct debit transfers happen seamlessly. As I’ve said, there’s no need for patients to rejoin or provide their bank details again.
If you don’t want to move patients on a like-for-like basis, then we can accommodate that too. We can facilitate a rejoin process, allowing you to phase out plans you no longer want to offer. There are multiple options, and we’ll work with you to find the best fit.
Ready to make the move?
Switching providers doesn’t have to be daunting. With the right support, it can be an opportunity to refresh your plans, strengthen patient loyalty, and secure your income. If you’re ready to explore your options, why not arrange a no obligation one-to-chat to find out how Practice Plan can help your practice thrive.
