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Do you think you might be overpaying your Dental Office Answering Service provider?
You are not alone. Most dental answering service companies also think they have their eggs in the wrong basket.
One of the biggest dilemmas that starting companies dread is not getting the worth of their invested dollars to BPOs.
However, this problem can be easily solved.
It is only a matter of educating yourself to know the billing framework and pricing of the answering service call center.
So that’s, why In this article, we will briefly discuss the billing guidelines that BPO follows and the current average price of the best dental answering service in the market.
What is a Dental Office Answering Service?
As the name implies, an answering service is a specialized service that you can hire to answer incoming calls at your place of business.
An answering service may provide the following services, depending on the company:
- Take and screen incoming calls
- Provide basic information about your business
- Record and pass along messages
- Schedule appointments
- Send out appointment reminders
- Screen emergency or after-hours calls
- An automated answering service is the simplest type. When someone calls your office, they hear a recorded voice offering a series of prompts. Examples include “press 1 for office hours” or “press 3 to leave a message.”
Because many people will not bother leaving a message, using a live answering service is your best bet. Due to this arrangement, anyone calling your office will have the opportunity to speak with a natural person about their questions or concerns.
Remember that while automation has its place in the workplace, nothing can completely replace the human touch.
Billing Model in the Current Dental BPO Setting
There is no definite Answering Service framework or standard because there is no concrete law yet. However, there are three well-known ways of billing throughout the industry.
1. Per Minute Billing
The most common and fairest method of all is per-minute billing.
Per Minute Billing charges clients for the time they spend on the phone speaking to callers. Answering service providers are compensated for the time they spend working.
Most providers have three to five plans that SMEs can choose from, including a block of minutes with the rate charged.
This is considered the safest of all types of billing because companies can base their plan according to the volume of calls they receive.
2. Per Call Billing
Per-call billing is a payment model wherein businesses pay a flat rate for each call received.
So, in essence, you are billed not on how many minutes an agent is on the phone but on the volume of calls he receives. This might sound like it has loopholes, but what other companies do is they include a specific base number of calls per cycle.
Companies also ensure clear guidelines on wrong numbers, disconnected calls, and add-on fees accrue with the plan.
3. Per Monthly Billing
You can opt for monthly billing on your Answering services, like your credit cards.
Typically, this type of billing includes a set number of calling minutes per billing cycle. Plus, you pay a fixed rate for each additional minute used.
Service providers may not charge overage fees with this model, but when you meet your plan’s threshold, some bump you to the next project. If your provider charges overage fees, you may have a pay-per-call or pay-per-minute model.
That is why reviewing the contracts you will get with your BPO provider is essential.
Furthermore, here is the current average pricing per call:
Cost per Minute | Quality | |
< $0.70 | Call centers that offer this amount usually provide only one service, like taking in calls. | |
$0.70 – $0.80 | This is your pricing if you are looking for BPOs that can take in high call volumes for a specific service. | |
$0.80 – $1.00 | This is the average price in the market. Call centers offering this pricing range can take in large volumes of calls and multiple services. | |
$1.00 > | Providers with this rate usually offer specialized services instead of taking in calls. |
In hiring a Dental Office Answering Service or a Dental Scheduling Service, remember that cheap does not equate to poor quality and expensive to high quality. What’s essential in the end is the service.
Probe further with your chosen call center service provider about the ability and skills of agents. Ask whether they are capable and trained to manage calls and worry about the cost later.
Benefits of a HIPAA Compliant Dentist Answering Service
Dental office administrators know the importance of being accessible to callers. The answering service for dentists provided by Magellan Solutions eliminates the worry of missing a call and the stress of ensuring that calls are taken securely.
We are available to assist you in meeting the needs of each of your callers. With our professionally trained and HIPAA-certified live agents working for you, you and your staff will have more time to focus on your daily tasks and other specific needs, allowing you to focus on other essential tasks.
By partnering with us for your answering services, you can ensure your patients can reach your office anytime or at night. Our agents include registered nurses who have received telephone triage training. All our staff members are professionally certified to provide our clients with HIPAA and PHI-compliant answering services.
By HIPAA regulations, we ensure the safety and security of all patient health information (PHI). As an extension of your practice, we can provide full or after-hours support. We are here to grow with you and provide your patients with the professional assistance they require every time they contact your practice.
Looking for an Affordable and High-Quality Dental Office Answering Service Provider?
You have come to the right place!
We are Magellan Solutions.
We have 18+ years of experience in answering services to SMEs in various industries, including manufacturing and healthcare. Plus, we are a HIPAA-compliant company.
We believe that progress should not be costly, so you can guarantee that we keep our prices flexible yet competitive.
If you are ready to see significant changes in your company, contact us now. Then let us discuss further how we can make a fruitful relationship.