No Shows No More – How to Prevent No-Show Appointments
Updated: Jan 30
It’s one of the most frustrating aspects of running your veterinary practice: a client schedules an appointment, then doesn’t show up at the pre-arranged time.
This is more than a waste of your and your staff’s time. It means that you’re losing revenue! That same time slot could have been used to book another appointment, ultimately getting other pets the care they desperately need and resulting in a financial gain for your practice.
So, what can you do to prevent no-shows?
Did you know that the average rate of no-shows across all practices is around 9%? That’s TOO high! Ideally, you’ll want to aim for a baseline no-show percentage of 5%, if not lower.
The question is…
What strategies can you implement today to stop no-show appointments from occurring? How do you make a client realize that your staff and veterinarians’ time is valuable and can’t be wasted?
DVMelite took on this problem in a recent Breakthrough Ideas Call, and we offer several strategies to keep your clients coming in and keep your revenue flowing.
Relationship Building is KEY!
Your front desk is the first line of defense against no-show appointments. So much rides on that first call with a client and the RELATIONSHIP built from there.
Go beyond simple niceties — your front desk staff must make an emotional connection to the caller. This way, your customer feels like much more than a number or appointment slot.
Instead of…
“We’ll see you at 11:00 on Thursday.”
Try…
“Dr. Jones and the team will be waiting to see you and Fluffy on Thursday at 11:00. We can’t wait to meet you!”
This puts an emphasis on the doctor and staff’s valuable time, while also putting a name and face to the front-desk staff. Your customer will feel that they don’t want to let the practice down, and they’re much more likely to keep that appointment!
Here’s another idea:
One thing that no one likes — especially your clients — is paperwork. While setting up an appointment over the phone, try:
“Puppies can be excited for their first exam… let’s get your paperwork done
ahead of time!”
This allows you to get your client’s email address and send the initial paperwork before their appointment even begins. Put the pet’s name in the subject line to help secure the emotional connection that’s so important.
BONUS TIP: now that you have your customer’s email address, you can add them to your mailing list!
The Scarcity Effect
Make your product MORE EXCLUSIVE. Don’t give the impression that you have a wide-open calendar for appointments… it doesn’t make your staff’s time seem valuable.
Your front-desk staff can say something like…
“We have a few slots available on [this day] and [this day], do either of those work for you?”
If the customer can only make it in on a certain day or time, try…
“Let me see if we have anything available that day.”
By making your client feel LUCKY that they got an appointment while still working with them to schedule a time that works for everyone, you’re creating the effect of scarcity. It’s all about the value of your time!
Try reminding customers about any special promotions you may be running, especially when it comes to limited-time offers. This helps reinforce the message of scarcity even more!
The Value of Technology
One of the best ways to prevent no-shows and reduce your missed-appointment rate is with electronic reminders. Text-message reminders can reduce no-shows by more than 30%! Reminder calls and emails before appointments are also great ideas.
Remember this rule: the more contact, the BETTER!
Clients who receive a text reminder are THREE TIMES more likely to cancel in an appropriate amount of time, rather than skip their appointment without notice. This is a benefit to your practice — when you know a client isn’t coming, you can prepare accordingly and prevent loss of revenue!
Should I Charge for No-Shows?
As a general rule, it’s not recommended that you charge a client when they don’t show up for an appointment. The risk here is that the client can quickly go online and trash-talk you and your practice!
It’s not worth the potential for negative reviews — unless you’re a very busy practice that isn’t worried about losing clientele, only consider charging for no-shows and holding credit cards as a last resort.
One thing you can try is adding a line item at the bottom of your paperwork about charging for no-show appointments. You don’t have to actually enforce the rule… the fact that it’s there in the fine print shows the client that your time is valuable!
Here’s one exception: if you have a particular problem with clients not showing for elective surgeries like spays and neuters, you might consider asking for a small deposit ahead of that appointment. It’s a huge revenue and time-waster to have doctors and staff scrub in for surgery, get rooms prepared, clean and sterilize equipment… all to have the client skip their appointment!
The Power of LANGUAGE
Sometimes, clients show up for the initial appointment, but skip the follow-up exam. One way of preventing this is with the power of your front-desk language.
Instead of…
“Let’s schedule Fluffy’s re-check exam.”
Try…
“Let’s get Fluffy’s progress exam scheduled.”
Phrases like “re-check” and “follow-up” give a sense that the appointment is optional. Eliminate this feeling by saying “progress exam.” Re-check sounds redundant and not entirely necessary… progress sounds essential.
Let’s review…
Here are six quick takeaways to help you make no-shows a thing of the past:
Aim for a baseline no-show rate of 5% – any higher and you’re losing too much revenue…
Build relationships with your clients – when the emotional connection is there, your client won’t want to let the practice down. Emphasize the doctor’s name during calls and reminders to highlight value…
Create scarcity. When your service seems more exclusive, clients aren’t likely to skip appointments…
The more contact, the BETTER! Use text reminders, phone calls, email, etc. to remind your client of their appointment…
Don’t risk charging for no-shows – be proactive in preventing the problem…
Use the right language while scheduling appointments – don’t let your client think the appointment is optional!
Why waste any more of your staff’s precious time? STOP losing revenue because of no-show appointments TODAY. Implement these proactive strategies, and you’re not just saving money — you’re fostering a culture of growth and success!
It All Starts with Your Dream Team
Do you need some help creating an all-star team? Sign up for the Dream Team Builder now so your practice can reap the benefits of:
A great team culture;
An on-call HR counselor;
A hiring pool of only A-players.
Finally, you’ll be able to:
Enjoy coming to work with a staff who’s happy to be there;
Let an HR expert handle staffing issues so you don’t get mired in them;
Hire only top-notch candidates – without sifting through stacks of resumes.
Ready to get started? Contact our Dream Team Builders now at 800-469-1871. We’re here to help you succeed!
Our Advice on Prevent No-Show Appointments in Your Vet Practice in 2024
What is the average no-show rate, and what should clinics aim for to minimize loss?
The average no-show rate for clinics is around 9%. To minimize loss and maintain efficient operations, clinics should aim for a baseline no-show rate of 5% or lower, actively implementing strategies to engage clients and ensure they understand the value of keeping their appointments.
In what ways can creating a scarcity effect influence clients' perception of appointment value?
Creating a scarcity effect makes appointments seem more exclusive, enhancing perceived value. When clients believe slots are limited, they're more likely to commit and show up, understanding that their reserved time is precious and not easily replaced, thus reducing no-shows.
Should veterinary practices charge clients for no-show appointments, and what are the risks?
Charging for no-shows can deter repeated absences, but risks include client dissatisfaction and negative reviews. Before implementing such a policy, practices should weigh the potential revenue recovery against the possibility of damaging client relationships and the clinic's reputation.
Why is establishing an emotional connection with clients crucial in preventing no-shows?
Establishing an emotional connection with clients makes them feel valued and responsible, creating a sense of loyalty and commitment. When emotionally invested, clients are less likely to miss appointments as they want to please the team they've grown to trust and respect.
What are the benefits of reducing no-show rates for the clinic and the clients?
Reducing no-show rates benefits clinics by maximizing efficient use of time and resources, increasing revenue, and improving patient care continuity. For clients, it ensures timely veterinary attention for their pets and reinforces the value of committed healthcare partnerships.
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