Don’t invite disaster into your physician scheduling plan

Key Strategies for Implementing Open-Access Scheduling in Your Practice

Implementing open-access scheduling without careful planning invites disaster. Once you determine how much to open the schedule, develop a new set of written procedures and protocols for handling appointment requests. You probably already have guidelines based on your specialty and individual practice patterns for evaluating urgent-care requests. Review and adjust them to the new plan if necessary.

Figure out how you want to work the new plan into your style. You can still use your old scheduling structure (e.g., block, individual, wave, etc.), and you may be able to maintain the same office hours. But if you’re serious about meeting your customers’ demands, be open to further change.

In a general staff meeting, make sure everyone understands how the new plan is supposed to work. Pay particular attention to your policies regarding exceptions for when it’s acceptable to fill a “protected” same-day slot early and how to handle occasional gaps in the schedule caused by low volume, last-minute cancellations, and no-shows.

At REED TINSLEY, CPA, we specialize in helping physicians implement effective strategies that improve patient satisfaction and operational efficiency. Contact us today to learn how we can support your practice's growth and success.

About the Author

Reed Tinsley CPA

This article is written by Reed Tinsley, a Houston, TX-based CPA with over 30 years of experience advising physicians and medical practices across Texas and the United States. Reed holds certifications as a Certified Valuation Analyst (CVA), Certified Healthcare Business Consultant (CHBC), and Certified Financial Planner (CFP), specializing exclusively in the healthcare sector. He is a published author, nationally recognized speaker, and trusted advisor to physicians on accounting & tax, practice management, and financial planning. Schedule a Free Consultation.