The U.S. population is aging, an increasing number of patients suffer from more than one chronic condition, and Medicare spending on post-acute care is up. Depending on your market, it can be a competitive time to be in the post-acute care business. As part of the Prepared Health community, you now have access to all of the sub-acute providers in your region that are on the network. Here’s how to expand your network and become a preferred provider:
1) Feature your specialties. Differentiate your company by highlighting special services like a strong heart failure program, or a joint or diabetes program. Look for sub-acute facilities with a patient population match.
2) Simplify existing relationships. Help your existing partners become more efficient in their care transition processes. For example, encourage partners to attach basic required documents to quickly begin the process. Your partners want to hear that you genuinely care about improving both the relationship and patient outcomes. This will help keep your company top-of-mind for referrals.
3) Find new partners. Identify organizations in the Prepared Health network that are a fit for your business. Reach out and introduce yourself and your company and let them know you’re on the network. Work on establishing relationships with those organizations to coordinate services and communicate regarding mutual patients.
4) Educate your staff. Your team has an important role in maintaining relationships with your preferred partners. Once referrals are accepted, the referring organizations expect timely responses. They can see when cases are open and when patients have been seen. Be sure your team understands the value of the platform and the transparency it offers. If the follow-through isn’t there, it can end the relationship.
5) Add value. Provide brief weekly updates to your partners on the patients they have sent you through the platform. This creates another opportunity to get in front of the people who are making referrals and demonstrates the value of the relationship. The top priority is to be an engaged partner in a patient’s care.
6) Facilitate connections. Look for ways to bring other organizations together. If you have a successful working relationship with a house call provider practice, for example, find a skilled nursing facility or another partner that might also benefit from the relationship. Reach out and make the connection. This helps build up the network and reinforces your position as a proactive provider.
