Many practices reported increased business and scores of new clients as upshots following the COVID-19 pandemic, but emerging data shows that visits are now cooling and dropping off. Additionally, much of the revenue increases are actually results of raised prices. This all leads to the need to carefully monitor business data in a greater context. As always, it’s imperative to stay prepared for slowing business or economic uncertainty: inflation.
Of course, inflation is no secret. But when your office is still booked solid, it’s understandable to focus on other concerns. However, busy times are the best times to secure future business and client loyalty, and VCP Care Plans are the ideal way to do that. After all, why not future-proof your hospital with reliable revenue sources and create a predictable cashflow while helping alleviate your pet parents’ stresses?
Consider this: It’s much easier for consumers to plan for a known monthly payment than to deal with a large, unexpected expense – even in times of economic stability. Care Plans lower client stress levels because your clients know how much their pet’s plan costs each month. With inflation, they won’t know what their groceries will cost, but they will know how much their pet’s monthly Care Plan payment will be. A Care Plan program is also a great tool to ensure that your clients keep returning. Plans remind your client that their pet has remaining treatments and vaccines that they need. So, they’ll make and show up for those appointments because they are, quite literally, part of the plan. After all, you can’t take away your client’s stress at the supermarket, but you can at your office – all without sacrificing a cent of your cashflow.
How to Discuss Care Plans With Your Clients
The best time to discuss Care Plans is when the pet parent is in the room with you. Take advantage of your busy schedule to ensure the financial security of your practice by talking to as many clients as possible about Care Plans. This can have long-term benefits, too.
For example, pet parents might say yes to a portion of the preventive care in the room and think about the rest of your recommendations. That way, the pet will benefit from a solid level of care while the pet parent decides on add-ons or customizations. This increases compliance and keeps the door open for the pet parent to opt into a higher spend later.
Beyond Preventive Care
If you decide to offer chronic illness plans, the pet parents of these companion animals with higher-cost care will benefit even more. Spreading out costlier treatments over monthly payments assures that higher-risk pets will continue to get the care they need.
You can also offer add-on services and specific plans such as senior pet plans to fit the needs of every one of your clients and their pets. Care Plans are simply a win-win for both practice and pet parent: While your clients rest assured knowing their pet’s care is secured, even if their pet has a chronic condition, you’re able to count on the set income associated with each Care Plan enrollment.
VCP’s PIMS Integration Simplifies Signups
And while we’re stuck with the inflation levels of the 1980s*, we benefit from the technology of today. VCP’s Care Plan software works seamlessly with the leading Covetrus PIMS, making enrollment of a pet easier now than ever. In addition, you can now send push links to clients, so they can complete the sign-up process at home, saving you and your staff time; this can be done no matter which PIMS.
There has been no better time than now to create your practice’s tailor-made Care Plan offerings. Working with a VCP Wellness Coach, you design the plans to your hospital’s protocols, and you can offer customizations or optional services to meet the needs of your business and of your clients. As a result, your Care Plan program is as dynamic as you choose it to be.
In times of inflation and other economic uneasiness, Care Plans afford both practices and pet parents certainty of care, financial predictability, and priceless peace of mind.
