Since a majority of referrals and important medical information is sent via fax, it is critical that you never miss a fax.
Studies show that 54% of faxed referrals never even result in an appointment.
The good news is that there are some easy ways you can ensure you never have a busy fax line, which will ensure you never miss any important documents such as referrals and test results.
Option 1: Send your faxes after-hours
By not sending faxes during the day, you free up your fax line to receive faxes.
PROS:
- You can keep doing things exactly how you do them today
CONS:
- Multiple people may still send you faxes at the same time, in which case your fax line will still not receive the transmissions.
- Recipients may encounter a delay in receiving your faxes since they won't be sent during the business hours.
- Your staff might have to stay in the office longer to send the faxes after-hours
Option 2: Purchase an additional fax line
Another option is to purchase an additional fax line for your phone company.
PROS:
- You can now send and receive 2 faxes concurrently
CONS:
- You will now have 2 different fax numbers, and will have to pay for 2 lines
Option 3: Consider a cloud solution
These solutions provide the highest reliability, and if you use Medsender for your cloud communication, you'll get additional features such as EMR integration, access to a digital provider network, e-signatures, automated document labeling, HIPAA compliant email, high-resolution image sharing and more.
PROS:
- No more physical fax lines and associated telecom bills
- No hardware needed
- No busy fax signals so you never miss a referral
- Your documents are accessible anywhere you have internet
CONS:
- Not all cloud solutions offer a BAA to ensure HIPAA compliance
- Many companies often charge a hefty price with high overage fees
As an alternative to these expensive and non-compliant options, Medsender offers a BAA for HIPAA compliance at no extra charge, and you can get started with a free trial account if you are in the healthcare industry. After your trial, plans start at just $20 per month and can be customized for enterprise needs.