Blue Orchid helps its clients secure these valuable assets by going through EHR files to determine which conditions produce reliable revenue, and which patients are due (or overdue) for follow-up care. “We can review what the doctor has put into the system as to what the problem was,” Zaken says. “In many cases, that data gives us a better understanding of a specific patient’s needs than the practice or the doctor because they're being pulled in so many different directions.” 

The consultants ID the handful of conditions that would provide the most value to the practice, then begin by sending a hard-copy letter to the patient that’s personalized and specific to their condition, all of which is fully HIPAA compliant. After that, the practice sends several follow-up emails encouraging the patient to make an appointment. “When Joe Smith’s last visit date changes from a year-and-a-half ago to three days ago because we started communicating and then he came back in, we're going to consider that a win,” Zaken says.