PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Salucro Healthcare Solutions, a leading healthcare payment technology company, today released the results of its 2019 Patient Payment Technology Report, a survey designed to measure the degree that the payment and billing process impacts brand loyalty and patient turnover. Based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. healthcare consumers, the report suggests that patients place an exceedingly high importance on the financial aspect of their healthcare journey, and that hospitals and medical centers who do not prioritize the process risk patient turnover and jeopardize brand loyalty.
Brand loyalty is paramount for financial success, but for many patients, a less than satisfactory payment and billing process can easily turn them off from a specific hospital or medical center. In fact, survey findings revealed that more than three out of every four consumers (76%) consider the billing and payment process to be somewhat or very important when evaluating a new medical provider, meaning that many patients are disqualifying certain institutions before they even walk in the door, regardless of the quality of clinical care.
With peer reviews and recommendations easily accessible online, providers known for their less than positive payment and billing process are putting themselves in danger of losing prospective patients prior to any care delivery. Even more troubling, the report revealed that only 33% of respondents reported feeling very confident that the bill they receive from their hospital/provider is accurate, and 47% reported a billing or payment issue during their most recent healthcare experience. These issues can translate into financial losses as well as potential damage to reputation and brand loyalty, as consumers reported a number of related scenarios that would result in them seeking care from an alternate provider, including:
- Incorrect or confusing bills (42%)
- Difficult and unorganized billing and payment processes (34%)
- When a preferred form of payment is not accepted (28%)
- Lack of flexibility about payment options and financing plans (25%)
- Significant delays in receiving a bill following a visit (22%)
“We tend to think first and foremost about a patient’s quality of care when we evaluate a provider but the truth is, their financial journey can have just as much of an impact on satisfaction,” said Clayton Bain, Founder and CEO, Salucro. “Hospitals and medical centers that do not prioritize the billing and payment process are putting themselves in a position to lose patients and erode their brand loyalty, even if their clinical care is top notch.”
While major issues like incorrect bills are critical for providers to avoid, patients also increasingly demand flexible and assorted payment options. While credit and debit cards (including HSA/FSA cards) were still the most preferred, patients reported the desire to use a number of additional payment methods, including:
- Check or ACH (28%)
- Cash (35%)
- A flexible recurring payment plan (22%)
- PayPal (26%)
“Any organization’s financial success is dependent on the volume of customers who buy into their brand, and our data shows that hospitals and medical centers are in danger of losing patients, and ultimately profit, by neglecting to optimize their payment and billing process,” Bain added. “At Salucro, we’re bringing the ease and simplicity of the retail experience to healthcare at a time when the pressure to provide satisfaction is at an all-time high. We’re committed to ensuring the patient remains a priority from start to finish, and that they’re given the experience they demand.”
About Salucro
Salucro is a healthcare technology company, exclusively focused on patient payments. From online bill pay solutions to provider-facing payment integrations, the Salucro platform brings cohesive payment experiences to both healthcare providers, patients, and third-party collection agencies. Salucro offers 16+ payment options, including PayPal, PayPal Credit, Venmo, and access to third-party financing. As a PCI DSS Level 1 Service Provider, Salucro belongs to an elite group of organizations worldwide that have earned HITRUST CSF Certified status, proving Salucro’s continued commitment to managing risk and improving payment security and compliance. To learn more visit www.salucro.com.
