Blue Cross | Blue Shield | Blue Care Network of Michigan The Record

Stethoscope with RX papers

Forward to a friend  |  Subscribe  |  The Record Archive  |  Contacts  |  bcbsm.com  |  Print this article

November 2019

New resources for your practice: Patient Digital Engagement Toolkit, webinar and tips to improve patient portal usage

This is the second in a series of articles on ways online self-service tools help our members (your patients) be more informed, engaged and satisfied.

Online patient portals, or accounts, are digital tools that offer convenient and timely means of communication between patients and providers. In addition, they streamline administrative tasks, such as patient registrations, check-ins and appointment scheduling.  

However, “Build it and they will come” isn’t a great strategy for engaging patients to use our various online account tools. What works?

Awareness
Patient awareness is necessary before digital self-service tools can deliver better workflows.

We must collaborate to create and foster multiple touchpoints that reach those we serve across the various stages of their health care journeys.

Get started with these new resources
You and your staff can tap into these new patient awareness resources right away for insights on how to improve your own patient portal usage and help our members activate and use their Blue Cross accounts. They include:

  • Webinar: Let Us Help You Help Them: Your Patients’ Experience
    You’ll learn the value of patient portals, how to foster and improve patient engagement with portals, and how Blue Cross’ member account streamlines accessibility for your patients and makes more efficient use of your time.
  • Webpage: bcbsm.com/ordertoolkit
    Go there to access the Patient Digital Engagement Toolkit order form. You can also review and order member account registration and Blue Cross mobile app materials.

5 tips for improving patient portal engagement

  1. Mention the portal in your on-hold messaging and voicemail recordings. Include features they’ll enjoy and how to sign up. Emphasize conveniences, such as 24/7 ability to schedule appointments, request medications or review reports.
  2. Put flyers and posters where patients are waiting for appointments and have time to read.
  3. Add a tagline on appointment cards, statements and newsletters, such as: “Tired of playing phone tag? Sign up for our patient portal.”
  4. Include your portal registration details in checkout materials.
  5. Put a link to your patient portal login at the top of your practice website homepage.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2018 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.