If you’re a healthcare provider, chances are you either are currently using a CRM or planning to formally start using one. In some cases, you might even be considering a switch to take advantage of new and better technology. The truth is, that some CRMs are just better than others for healthcare providers. At HIS, we work with many healthcare providers, particularly in orthopedics and radiology. One thing that often goes overlooked is the necessity for a CRM to a)integrate with that practice website application and b)integrate with billing and revenue cycle management. And while custom solutions are always an option, there are a few CRMs out there that already offer a great solution, are HIPAA compliant, are easy to use on the backend, have tons of features, and can be tied into your billing solution. Here are five that we see time and again.
1. Salesforce Health Cloud
Salesforce Health Cloud is more than just a CRM; it’s a patient relationship management solution built specifically for healthcare. Powered by the Salesforce Platform, Health Cloud gives providers a complete view of every patient so they can better understand and build stronger relationships while collaborating on care more effectively.
Features:
- Unified Patient View: Health Cloud combines each patient’s information from EHRs, medical devices, and even wearables in one place. That means the big picture of the patient’s health can be viewed at a glance, making it easier to customize care plans.
- Better Care Coordination: Tools for secure messaging and shared care plans keep the entire care team on the same page and help orchestrate more cohesive care for better patient outcomes.
- Personalized Patient Engagement: Health Cloud can engage patients through email, text, or mobile apps, depending on their preferred channel, which makes communication more personal and increases adherence to care plans.
- Integration Friendly: You don’t need to replace your existing EHR or software setup. This consistency reduces data silos, giving everyone access to the same information.
- Security and Compliance: Salesforce does not mess around with it comes to data security, with features designed to meet HIPAA requirements. You can trust that patient information is protected with advanced encryption and regular security updates.
Salesforce Health Cloud is well-suited for large or rapidly growing practices that need an extremely robust and scalable solution. It can give you a 360-degree view of patients while improving communication, ultimately driving better patient satisfaction and outcomes. And the large Salesforce ecosystem makes lots of add-ons and integrations available to extend the functionality of the platform.
2. Microsoft Dynamics 365 Healthcare Accelerator
Microsoft Dynamics 365 Healthcare Accelerator extends the functionality of Dynamics 365 to address the specific needs of healthcare service providers. It’s all about improving patient experiences and streamlining operations.
Features:
- Patient Journey Tracking: You can keep tabs on every step of a patient’s journey, from the initial contact to follow-up care. This helps you spot any gaps and ensure continuity of care, which is crucial for patient satisfaction.
- Seamless Integration with Microsoft Tools: If your team already uses Microsoft Office apps like Outlook, Word, and Excel, they’ll feel right at home. The integration decreases the learning curve, thereby improving productivity since staff will be working within familiar platforms.
- AI-Powered Insights: The system uses artificial intelligence to analyze patient data, assisting you in predicting health risks and to some degree, personalizing care plans. Such insights can lead to proactive interventions and better health outcomes.
- Customizable Modules: You can tailor the system to fit your specialty, whether that be cardiology, oncology, or another field. You can also adjust workflows and dashboards to match how you work, making the CRM feel like it’s built just for you.
- Strong Security Measures: Microsoft is a trusted name when it comes to security. Dynamics 365 includes features such as data encryption and role-based access to keep patient information safe, ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations.
If you’re already invested in the Microsoft ecosystem, this CRM can seamlessly integrate with your existing tools. Its AI capabilities and customization options make it a flexible choice for practices that want to improve patient care and operational efficiency. And with Microsoft’s ongoing commitment to healthcare technology, we should see the platform continue to evolve with industry needs.
3. Zoho CRM for Healthcare
For smaller practices or those on a tighter budget, Zoho CRM for Healthcare offers a powerful yet affordable solution. It’s user-friendly and designed to help you manage patient relationships more effectively without too many (unnecessary or excessive) extras.
Features:
- Appointment and Schedule Management: Simplify scheduling with easy-to-use tools that reduce no-shows through automated reminders. Staff can manage calendars efficiently, ensuring optimal use of time slots.
- Automated Communication: Keep patients engaged with automatic messages for appointment confirmations, follow-ups, and health reminders. This consistent communication helps build trust and keeps patients informed.
- Insightful Analytics: Get a better understanding of your patient demographics and engagement levels with built-in reports. These insights can help you tailor services and identify areas for improvement.
- Customizable to Your Needs: Adjust fields, modules, and workflows to fit your practice. As you grow, Zoho CRM can scale with you, adding users and features as needed.
- Integration Capabilities: Connect with other applications like EHR systems and billing software to keep everything in sync. This reduces duplicate data entry and potential errors.
If ease of use and affordability are high on your list, Zoho CRM is worth considering. It helps you automate routine tasks so you can focus more on patient care, without breaking the bank. The intuitive interface means less time spent on training and more time dedicated to patients.
4. Onpipeline
Onpipeline is a flexible CRM that is used across various industries, but its features can be effectively adapted for healthcare practices. It’s all about managing patient interactions smoothly and keeping your processes organized.
Features:
- User-Friendly Interface: Easy navigation means your staff can get up to speed quickly. The dashboard gives quick access to patient records and communication history, making daily tasks more efficient.
- Custom Workflows: You can set up pipelines and stages that match how your practice operates, making the CRM fit your processes rather than the other way around. This customization ensures the tool supports your specific needs.
- Task and Activity Management: Assign tasks, set reminders, and track deadlines to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. This feature helps in coordinating care and administrative duties effectively.
- Appointment Scheduling: Streamline booking and send automated confirmations to reduce administrative workload. Patients appreciate timely reminders, which can improve attendance rates.
- Visual Pipelines: See at a glance where each patient is in their care journey, helping you manage caseloads effectively and identify any bottlenecks in your processes.
While Onpipeline isn’t specifically designed for healthcare, its adaptability can make it a good fit. However, you’ll need to ensure it meets all healthcare compliance requirements like HIPAA. Check with the provider about security features like data encryption, secure hosting, and access controls.
If you’re looking for a customizable CRM that you can tailor to your practice, Onpipeline offers flexibility. It’s especially useful for practices that have unique workflows or require a system that can adapt to their way of working. Just be sure to do your due diligence on compliance and security to protect patient data.
5. Pega Customer Service for Healthcare
Pega focuses on streamlining service processes and boosting patient engagement through intelligent automation. It’s designed to reduce administrative burdens so you can focus more on patient care, which is what matters most.
Features:
- Intelligent Automation: Automate routine tasks like billing inquiries, appointment scheduling, and prescription refills, freeing up staff time for more critical activities.
- AI-Powered Chatbots: Provide patients with instant assistance for common questions, improving response times and satisfaction. These virtual assistants can handle multiple queries simultaneously, enhancing efficiency.
- Omnichannel Communication: Engage with patients across multiple channels—phone, email, text, social media—so they can reach you in the way that’s most convenient for them. This flexibility improves accessibility and patient experience.
- Compliance Management: Built-in protocols help ensure all interactions meet regulatory standards, reducing the risk of compliance issues. Pega stays updated with healthcare regulations to keep your practice in line.
- Scalability: Pega is designed to grow with your practice, adding new features and capabilities as needed. Whether you are expanding services or opening new locations, the platform can accommodate your growth.
If reducing administrative workload and improving patient engagement are top priorities, Pega’s automation and AI features can make a significant impact. It’s especially suited for practices looking to modernize their patient service operations and stay ahead in a competitive market.
Choosing the Right CRM for Your Healthcare Practice
Selecting the right CRM is a major decision that can affect everything from patient care to compliance and profitability. Here are some key factors to consider:
- Enhanced Patient Relationships
A CRM helps small clinics build stronger connections with their patients by keeping all their information organized in one place. Access to detailed medical histories and past interactions allows providers to offer more personalized care and communicate more effectively. - Streamlined Appointment Scheduling
Managing appointments becomes much easier with a CRM system. Automated reminders reduce no-shows, and a centralized calendar simplifies booking and rescheduling. Offering online booking options can also improve patient convenience and satisfaction. - Reduced Administrative Work
Automating routine tasks like data entry, billing reminders, and report generation frees up your staff to focus more on patient care. A CRM centralizes data management, which cuts down on errors and makes administrative processes more efficient. - Improved Data Security and Compliance
Healthcare-specific CRMs are designed with security in mind, helping you comply with regulations like HIPAA. They protect patient data with encryption and access controls and keep detailed logs to ensure transparency and accountability.
Optimize Your Medical Billing Process with HIS
Because CRMS improves data accuracy and completeness, by default it becomes easier to start looking at syncing your billing process with your CRM. In turn, all patient info, treatment details, and insurance info can be aligned per patient. For many clinics, the task of organizing information AND managing billing can be overwhelming, so for a single, administrative solution to be readily available can be game-changing. With a chance to focus on patient care, growth, and community, many healthcare organizations can only benefit from integrating a solid CRM into their operations and outsourcing with a reliable billing and revenue cycle specialist. See how Healthcare Information Services can help you get started today and work with your current CRM.