Health equity is the state in which there is a fair opportunity for everyone to attain their highest level of health.
But, with the healthcare landscape evolving rapidly and budgets increasing, how can providers continue to offer and improve patient access and equity?
The answer isn’t straightforward. However, for practices, expanding accessibility and delivering equitable care doesn’t just fulfill an ethical obligation—it’s also a key driver of growth.
Whether you’re scaling small healthcare practices or refining strategies for patient retention, this article reveals growth strategies to improve patient access and revolutionize your approach to healthcare delivery.
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The Importance of Patient Access and Equity
Disparities in healthcare access remain a pressing issue worldwide. What do these discrepancies look like? A KFF brief states that they include:
- Life expectancy
- Health status
- Prevalence of health conditions (including mental health)
- Access to care and affordability
- Quality of care
Disparities also occur across several factors, including race and ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, geography, language, disability status, citizenship status, and sexual identity and orientation.
Limited access to quality care disproportionately affects underserved populations, especially those in rural areas, low-income groups, and marginalized communities.
Without equitable access, these groups often experience adverse outcomes, including preventable diseases, poor health literacy, and higher mortality rates. Consider these alarming statistics:
- According to an American Cancer Society’s Breast Cancer report, Black women have a 38% higher breast cancer mortality rate, mainly due to later diagnosis and less access to high-quality treatment.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that early death from the top five leading causes of death (heart disease, cancer, unintentional injury, lower respiratory disease, and stroke) is more common among people living in rural areas than those who live in urban areas.
These disparities also exacerbate the broader issue of healthcare inequities, straining not only individual lives but the healthcare system as a whole.
Addressing these challenges involves creating inclusive and accessible healthcare systems. By eliminating hurdles, practices can ensure every patient gets the care they need to lead healthier lives, regardless of circumstance.
Why It Matters for Healthcare Growth
Improving patient access and equity isn’t just good for your community—it’s also crucial for your practice’s growth. Here’s how enhancing access and equity strengthens your healthcare practice:
Expanding Your Patient Base
Practices that address barriers to care appeal to a broader demographic, especially underserved communities. One report found that increased use of telemedicine for rural communities and older Medicare patients improved their access through more visits and better continuity of care. This improvement came with only a modest increase in spending.
Increasing Patient Satisfaction
One literature review found that patients who were unemployed, unable to work, or had poorer health status were more likely to feel judged by physicians. On the contrary, when patients feel cared for and valued, trust increases. This leads to long-term loyalty, positive word-of-mouth referrals, and a strong community reputation.
Improving Health Outcomes
Equitable and accessible care improves overall health outcomes, reinforcing your reputation as a high-impact provider. The National Healthcare Quality and Disparities Report offers that when people have easier access to care:
- They are more likely to seek care for health concerns early on, preventing conditions from worsening and leading to better treatment outcomes.
- They can receive preventative screenings and immunizations, which help to identify potential health issues before they become serious.
Boosting Revenue
Strategies such as optimizing telehealth services for growth can increase patient acquisition and retention rates, directly benefiting financial performance.
Telehealth integration with digital payment technologies also creates faster revenue cycle turnover, boosting revenue. After virtual visits, providers can instantly collect copays and outstanding balances through integrated payment portals.
Ultimately, equity in care isn’t just about fairness—it’s a sound business strategy. By fostering inclusivity, providers strengthen their ability to stay competitive in an industry increasingly focused on value-based care strategies.
How to Improve Patient Access and Equity
Healthcare practices can leverage various strategies to bridge patient access and equity gaps. Here are a few critical methods to consider:
Integrate Telehealth Services
An article in HealthcareIT News reports that efficient patient care via telehealth enhances the customer experience and helps reduce the number of patients who go to the ER unnecessarily. Telehealth platforms also ensure that patients in both urban and rural locations can receive timely care.
One literature review found urban patients access telemedicine significantly differently than rural patients, with a greater demand for child or adolescent telehealth. The review suggested this technology may help the nationwide shortage of adolescent psychiatry providers in rural and urban areas.
No matter the practice specialty, optimizing telehealth services for growth means ensuring secure, user-friendly platforms. For example, the communication platform Updox offers HIPAA-compliant telehealth software that streamlines workflows and mimics an in-person visit.
The software provides security with HIPAA-compliant video conferencing while offering interpreter services to increase accessibility and optimize the patient’s experience.
Adopt Value-Based Care Models
Unlike traditional fee-for-service models, value-based care (VBC) incentivizes providers to put patient health outcomes front and center, not just the number of services provided.
This method allows providers to prioritize preventive care and management of chronic conditions, helping marginalized populations achieve better results. With VBC payment and delivery healthcare models, providers can address the underlying causes of health inequities instead of treating the effects.
For example, one health center used this model to manage transportation problems and expand access to care by sending community health workers to visit patients at home to manage their chronic conditions.
Leverage Technology for Healthcare Growth
Modern technology, such as digital appointment scheduling tools, EHR (Electronic Health Records), and AI-driven patient management systems, can make healthcare more accessible and efficient.
For example, digital-first interactions through text can help providers reach marginalized patients faster and easier. How? Due to the limitations of broadband internet infrastructure in rural areas, rural communities are likelier to own a smartphone than a desktop or laptop.
Using HIPAA-compliant texting features like Updox’s Secure Text allows providers to conveniently communicate with patients without compromising their privacy or protected health information (PHI). Patient benefits include:
- Secure, quick, and convenient communications
- Automated appointment reminders (help reduce no-shows and last-minute cancellations)
- Real-time check-ins and follow-ups
- Ongoing communication regarding health plans
Expand Multilingual Services and Community Outreach
Providing multilingual staff or interpreters ensures that patients from diverse cultural backgrounds can comfortably seek care. Culturally tailored services can significantly improve both access and equity.
Engaging with communities through health fairs, educational programs, or mobile clinics helps address healthcare inequities and fosters trust. Consider these American Hospital Association (AHA) resources to help you get started:
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How You Can Start Improving Patient Access Right Now
Even with long-term agendas in mind, there are immediate actions you can take to begin making a difference today. These five practical strategies can yield quick wins while setting the stage for further progress:
1. Simplify Appointment Scheduling
Implement user-friendly scheduling tools that are accessible through mobile apps and websites. This ensures patients can easily book appointments anytime, reducing the friction in accessing care.
For example, Updox offers a Patient Portal that allows practices to:
- Give patients self-scheduling options
- Seamlessly communicate with patients (i.e., review test results)
- Automate administrative tasks
- Easily collect payments online
- Send updates and share news
2. Solicit Patient Feedback
Leverage patient feedback for growth by actively soliciting opinions through surveys or online reviews. Use this data to identify shortcomings and create targeted solutions. The Journal of Patient Experience states survey questions are most valuable if answers are actionable and identify issues that improve care.
For instance, design surveys with active questions that better capture the patient’s perspective and feedback. Here’s an example:
General question:
During your most recent visit, did this provider show respect for what you had to say?
Dynamic question:
Did you have an opportunity to mention all the concerns you hoped to discuss at your most recent visit?
The article offers additional tips to consider when creating surveys:
- Use simple language and offer the survey in multiple languages.
- Choose the right survey format. For example, online forms delivered automatically through text or patient portals can be highly efficient for collecting quick feedback.
- Define the specific patient population or demographic group to ensure the survey captures relevant experiences and insights.
Don’t know where to begin? This website offers free templates and examples of patient satisfaction questions to get you started.
3. Partner With Local Organizations and Educate Patients
Collaborate with nonprofits, religious organizations, or community centers to connect with underserved populations and offer resources that support them.
Building strong connections with respected local organizations can significantly boost your reputation and reach. Here’s how:
- Creating potential for new revenue streams through co-created health and wellness programs
- Expanding your patient base through increased community visibility
- Showing your commitment to holistic community health
Provide patients with information on assistance programs or available telehealth options—patients often don’t use resources simply because they’re unaware of them.
4. Offer Flexible Payment Options
According to KFF, Hispanic, Black, American Indian, or Alaska Native (AIAN) people under the age of 65 years remained more likely than their White counterparts to be uninsured (as of 2023). AIAN and Hispanic people under age 65 had the highest uninsured rates at 18.7% and 17.9%.
To help fill the gap in these disparities, providers should introduce sliding scale fees or subscription-based care packages for patients without insurance to make healthcare more affordable.
5. Focus on Digital Marketing for Healthcare Growth
Build a strong online presence with clear, informative content to educate prospective patients. Here are a few strategies to get you started:
- Build a strong online presence through a well-designed website, utilizing digital marketing tools like search engine optimization (SEO), educational blogs, and targeted email campaigns.
- Highlight accessibility, equity efforts, and community events on your website and other mobile communication platforms to engage a larger audience.
- Engage on social media and stay active in managing online reviews.
- Implement a patient referral program to attract new patients.
Improving patient access and equity isn’t just a noble cause—it’s a healthcare growth strategy that benefits patients and providers. By integrating telehealth services, leveraging technology, and actively engaging with your community, you address healthcare disparities and elevate your practice.
Don’t wait to make an impact.
Contact Updox today to learn how our solutions can help your practice drive growth, improve patient access, and create better healthcare outcomes!
