Creative Ways to Market Your Membership Plans for Open Enrollment

In today’s competitive healthcare landscape, membership plans are a game-changer for practices and patients alike.  For you, they provide a steady revenue stream and foster patient loyalty, while offering affordable and predictable care for them. And that’s what we call a win-win. Which is why, as we approach the season of open enrollment, the perfect window to market your plans presents itself. This is the time when patients are actively considering their healthcare options, making it an ideal moment to showcase the benefits of your membership plans and attract new sign-ups. 

The pros of membership plans 

First and foremost, let’s talk about why membership plans are so beneficial. For your office, these plans mean a reliable income, as patients pay a monthly or annual subscription fee. This financial predictability allows for better budgeting and resource allocation. Additionally, membership plans help improve patient loyalty and retention, as patients who invest in a plan are more likely to return for regular visits and treatments. Simplifying your billing processes is another plus, as membership plans reduce the complexity of insurance claims and reimbursements. 

From the patient’s perspective, membership plans also offer significant advantages. They provide affordable care with predictable costs (which is particularly appealing in today’s uncertain economic climate). And regular preventive services included in these plans mean patients are more likely to maintain their oral health, leading to better overall health outcomes. 

However, the best part of a plan is the peace of mind that comes with knowing their healthcare is taken care of.  

Open enrollment = Opportunity 

Now, why is open enrollment such an important time to market your plans? It’s because a huge opportunity presents itself—for you and your patients.  

During this period, patients are already focused on their healthcare choices and are more open to exploring new options. Aligning your marketing efforts with the insurance open enrollment period can give you a competitive edge, as this is when patients are needing to make decisions about their coverage. This timing provides a golden opportunity to capture new patients who might be looking for alternatives to traditional insurance and to retain existing patients by reminding them of the benefits of your membership plans. 

Marketing ideas you can start implementing today 

Now it’s time we dive into some innovative ideas that can make a real impact. 

One effective approach is to host themed enrollment events in your office. These events can be both informative and fun, offering refreshments, free screenings, or consultations. Educational sessions about the benefits of membership plans can engage and inform patients, making them more likely to sign up. Also, who doesn’t like a party? 

Another idea is to set up interactive displays in your waiting area. Engaging, informative displays using posters, brochures, and digital screens can capture patients’ attention and provide them with valuable information about the benefits of your membership plans while they wait for their appointments. Make sure that you have the resources they need in their vicinity. 

Your staff can also play a crucial role in marketing these plans. Train your team to be knowledgeable ambassadors for your membership plans. Encourage them to initiate conversations with patients about the advantages of signing up, answering any questions they might have and providing personal testimonials if applicable. 

Offering exclusive incentives during open enrollment can also drive sign-ups. Consider providing limited-time discounts or special perks for patients who enroll in a membership plan during this period. Make sure to advertise these incentives prominently with promotional materials around your office to catch the eye of prospective members. 

Sending an email blast to all insured patients is another effective strategy. Our idea? Provide information on your membership plan and include a cost analysis comparing the membership plan with traditional insurance plans. Make it a cool Us versus Them informative email and see how quickly your patients will be interested. 

Visit small businesses and community groups to spread the word about your membership plan options. DentalHQ offers BusinessCONNECT™ and CommunityCONNECT™ programs that can help you market your practice more effectively. With CommunityCONNECT™, you can revolutionize how you market your practice by adding entire groups or organizations of new patients at once, instead of adding one patient at a time. BusinessCONNECT™ allows you to offer your practice’s dental membership plan directly to local businesses, providing a huge benefit for their employees. We have all the tools you want to market to all the audiences who need your plans. 

Finally, showcasing patient testimonials can be incredibly persuasive. Share success stories from current members through videos or written testimonials in your waiting areas and consultation rooms. Hearing positive experiences from other patients can often be the best motivator for those considering signing up. 

Want a little help in marketing those plans? Grab your FREE Marketing Cards today! 

Your plans are the answer

Membership plans offer tremendous benefits for both your practice and your patients, and open enrollment is the ideal time to market these plans, as patients are already evaluating their healthcare options.  

By implementing these marketing ideas, you can effectively promote your membership plans and attract new sign-ups.  

If you want to start planning your open enrollment marketing strategies now so you can see the difference it can make, then we’d love to help.  

To get started on setting up membership plans for your practice, book a demo with us today to see how we can manage them, that way we can do all the work for you so you don’t have to.