Five Reasons Why Your Medical Business Needs a Bilingual Answering Service
Here are five reasons why your medical office should also use a bilingual call answering service.
When you partner with a medical answering service, you are providing more value to your patients. But what about the ones who have English as a second language or who are only fluent in Spanish? In 2015, there were an estimated 54 million Hispanic people in the U.S., and this country currently has more Spanish-speakers than Spain!
Broader Reach
Hispanic people now make up more than 17% of our population. You would be ignoring a significant market segment if you didn’t have a way to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients when they call your office. Failing to provide these services could lead a caller to try another provider. Serving these patients’ needs, however, may result in increased referrals and growth for your practice.
24/7 Availability
One of the most significant benefits of medical answering services is that they allow you to be available for your patients around the clock. Even if you have a bilingual employee, they may not always be available. A bilingual answering service can speak with these patients at any time of the day or night.
Cost Saving
Wanting to serve your Spanish-speaking patients is a noble goal, but it could be costly to do this in-house. Asking your existing employees to learn Spanish may be easier said than done. Also, if you have plans to hire bilingual office staff for the purpose of answering phones, you will have to train them on HIPAA requirements and medical terminology. In addition to all that, you will have to come up with a compensation package. Instead of undertaking these expenses, you can hire an affordable bilingual answering service.
Save Time
Running a successful medical practice is a challenge that can be time-consuming. Your staff not only needs to take care of patients in the office but may also need to return calls to patients and other providers. It can take even more time when there are language barriers present. Medical answering services that offer bilingual services can take some of the phone tasks off of your plate.
Clear Communication
When a Spanish-speaking patient calls into your office to schedule an appointment or request other services, it’s helpful to speak their language. Having a bilingual answering service will not only make those patients happier, but it will also reduce potential errors in communication. When patients can communicate in their native language, you will receive the information necessary to serve their needs best.
As the medical field continues to expand, so should the services that you provide to current and prospective patients. Medical answering services can help lighten the load with valuable appointment scheduling, emergency dispatch, and bilingual answering services.
Contact Answering365 at 888-988-5800 now to sign up for our free trial and learn how our doctors answering service can help your practice better serve the patients.