With the completion of the 6th Australian Healthcare Index (AHI), a survey of over 9,000 patients, Healthengine brings you valuable insights to help accelerate your practice’s growth in 2024. Here are the key takeaways for your practice:

1. Be transparent with pricing
2. Provide on-the-spot private health insurance and government rebate claiming
3. Offer virtual care options
4. Publish all your availability and offer a waitlist
5. Use technology to encourage preventative health uptake

#1 Be Transparent with Pricing

The AHI revealed that 75% of people are making healthcare decisions differently due to cost-of-living increases, with concerning consequences:

• 49% visit the GP less frequently
• 42% reduced allied care appointments
• 40% delay dental treatments
• 30% skipped prescription medications in the past six months due to cost concerns.

Transparency in pricing can alleviate patients’ hesitations and help them manage healthcare expenses, avoiding unexpected costs or “bill shock.”

Success checklist for pricing transparency on Healthengine:

1. Display treatment prices on your Healthengine profile to appear in price-filtered searches.¹
2. Clearly outline cancellation policies and fees.
3. Include your bulk billing policy so patients understand their eligibility.
4. Offer Online Payments to provide patients with cost certainty before their appointment.

#2 Provide On-the-Spot Private Health Insurance and Government Rebate Claiming

Affordability (67%) and poor value for money (65%) were the top reasons patients wouldn’t recommend their private health insurance (PHI) in this year’s survey.

Offering on-the-spot claims can reduce the cash flow impact on patients, removing the wait for rebates and making your practice more appealing.

Ways to leverage Healthengine to help eligible patients access rebates:

• Ensure your HICAPS and PHI acceptance are clearly listed on your Healthengine profile.
• Use Healthengine’s SMS broadcast product (Communicate) to remind patients about potentially available PHI rebates.
• Share helpful links to available rebate information on Healthengine, your website, through social media, and create a consistent phone script for front of house staff. Healthengine can assist with the implementation of these strategies.

#3 Offer Virtual Care Options

Telehealth remains popular, with patients citing convenience (49%) and the desire to stay home (20%) as top reasons for choosing virtual care. The AHI survey showed telehealth is most used for GP consults (39%), repeat prescriptions (21%), and specialist appointments (10%).

Meet patient demand with Healthengine’s telehealth solutions:

1. Offer Express Care for repeat scripts, repeat referrals, and medical certificate requests.
2. Take Online Payments automatically and streamline admin, reduce manual payment collection and give patients upfront cost certainty.
3. Leave Healthengine to promote your virtual care offerings through automated marketing campaigns, with downloadable promotional materials also available for your practice.

#4 Publish All your Availability and Offer an Online Waitlist

A significant percentage of patients are dissatisfied with GP availability (37%) and difficulty booking appointments, often resulting in long wait times. Half of the patients who visited Emergency Departments agreed they could have sought care elsewhere.

Ensure patients can access care by:

1. Publishing all booking availability across your website and Healthengine.
2. Keeping your opening times accurate on all booking platforms.
3. Offering flexible booking options, such as after-hours or weekend appointments.
4. Use Healthengine’s online waitlist online waitlist to simplify the booking process for patients and eliminate manual waitlist management.

#5 Use Technology to Encourage Preventative Health Uptake

With 50% of Australians living with a health condition, preventative healthcare like vaccinations and screenings is essential. The AHI results reflect the importance of encouraging patients to take proactive steps for their health.

Encourage patients to stay healthy by participating in preventative health measures like vaccinations and screenings.

How to promote preventative health through Healthengine:

1. Use Communicate to send targeted SMS reminders to patients for screenings, check-ups, or vaccinations.
2. Raise awareness with downloadable promotional materials, including posters and waiting room TV slides.
3. Update your Healthengine profile to feature all the preventative treatments you offer.

Conclusion: Prioritise Patient Needs and Drive Practice Growth

The Australian Healthcare Index highlights the powerful influence of cost and convenience on healthcare decisions. By prioritising transparency, accessibility, and convenience, you can stay ahead of the competition and attract more patients in 2024.

To discuss customised strategies for your practice, speak to your Customer Success Manager or schedule a chat with one of our friendly practice consultants. Let us help you grow your practice and meet patient needs more effectively.