Why Veterinary Practices Need Integrated Payment Solutions
Cost and payment conversations are far from the highlight of a veterinary professional’s day. Pet owners facing increasing prices may balk at the cost of diagnostics and veterinary services, leaving your front desk staff to navigate these awkward conversations.
Pricing products and services appropriately and explaining their value and benefits can alleviate some of this discomfort. Additionally, giving clients diverse payment options empowers them to choose what works best for their unique situations and makes pet care more affordable and accessible.
Clients expect modern solutions to modern problems, including veterinary payment options beyond a credit card terminal. Integrated payment solutions that work within your practice management software can help you meet client demand and ease administrative burdens on your team.
Integrated payments meet modern pet owner expectations
Today’s pet owners are used to click-to-pay, app-based payment experiences infiltrating nearly all aspects of their lives. From using Apple Pay at the local coffee shop to asking Alexa to order household essentials, convenience and speed are everyone’s top priorities.
Slow and outdated payment systems can cause problems from check-out lines and bottlenecks to frustrated clients and front desk staff. Check-out and payment are important parts of the overall experience, impacting client satisfaction and retention.
Integrated payment systems connect directly to your veterinary practice management software, providing clients with more options, reducing the chances of error, and speeding up a sometimes painfully slow process. When clients use debit cards, credit cards, mobile payments, pet insurance, or third-party financing, team members can stay on one screen and skip manual entries that commonly lead to transcription errors.
More payment options mean greater access to care
As inflation continues to rise, access to veterinary care has become a hot topic. How can veterinary leaders combat rising costs without pricing pet owners out of the market? Flexible payment plans and financing options help spread out costs and bridge the gap between what pet owners want for their pets and what they can afford.
Providers using integrated payment solutions can help clients apply for financing and get approval offers sent straight to the hospital’s PIMS in real time. Eliminating the cumbersome process and long wait time for credit decisions helps clients feel more comfortable exploring their options.
Integrated payments are more efficient
Manual data entry is the enemy of operational efficiency. Reconciling paper receipts, calling clients to collect payment for add-on services or outstanding accounts, and balancing the drawer each night take time, and manual processes leave room for error. Integrated payment processing captures and records all transactions accurately, so closing is a breeze. Integrated payments reduce the administrative hassles that bog down your front desk staff and can also deter theft and dishonesty.
Updating payment tools can upgrade your business
Your veterinary practice exists to help pets and pet owners, but it’s also a business. Healthy businesses require financial stability and predictability to thrive and grow. Reliable payment methods ensure you get paid on time, reducing lost revenue from declined cards or open statements.
Online payments and text-to-pay options allow clients to pay before or after appointments, making check-in and check-out more efficient. For clients who forget to bring the right card or need to rush to another obligation, online payments can come to the rescue and ensure customer satisfaction. Integrated online payment systems can also take deposits during booking or collect no-show fees after a missed visit, so the front desk staff doesn’t have to track them down.
Implementing veterinary payment solutions
When you’re ready to expand payment offerings to a more inclusive and convenient digital client experience, switch to a cloud-based PIMS supporting broad payment integrations that fit into your clients’ busy lives.
Look for systems that support the most popular platforms, including:
- Apple, Google, and Android mobile payments
- Third-party financing options
- Pet health insurance providers
- Text and email payment links
Increased efficiency and fewer client complaints can help your veterinary team achieve greater job satisfaction. The cost of care is a common roadblock, but offering clients simple, flexible payment options while presenting estimates and discussing care plans eases stress for pet owners and veterinary teams.
Whether you’re running the place on your own or managing a large multi-specialty hospital, modernizing payment solutions benefits your team, clients, and bottom line.
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