Patient retention is a constant concern for chiropractic clinics. Many patients discontinue care due to cost concerns and affordability, with chiropractic patients often attending an average of only six visits.
As in nearly every other business and industry, retaining chiropractic patients can be just as valuable to a practice as onboarding new patients, making patient retention a cornerstone for successful chiropractic clinics. Better retention rates lead to more consistent revenue, better treatment outcomes, and stronger patient relationships, all of which lead to long-term clinic success.
Consumer financing is a practical tool for overcoming cost barriers that limit patient onboarding and retention. By partnering with United Consumer Financial Services, a top choice for patient financing across the U.S., chiropractic clinics can serve more patients and boost affordability to enhance retention across demographics. Read on to learn more.
Why Patient Retention is a Challenge in Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic patients often prematurely discontinue care for several reasons:
- Out-of-pocket costs: Weekly or bi-weekly clinic visits can feel financially overwhelming to patients, even as they get relief for their aches and pains. Budget-conscious patients often choose to drop off their treatment plans because the upfront costs are too significant to justify care.
- Insurance limitations: Many insurance plans don’t cover complete chiropractic treatment. In these instances, patients find themselves paying a more significant portion of their treatment costs than they first anticipated, causing them to cut treatment plans short.
- Perceived short-term improvement: Chiropractic adjustments often offer immediate short-term relief of symptoms, with long-term results achieved after doctors complete a prescribed care plan. When patients feel “healed” after just a few sessions, they cancel remaining chiropractic appointments because of the perceived short-term improvement and potential cost savings of discontinuing care.
A 2024 report by CommerceHealthcare found that 38 percent of surveyed individuals delayed or skipped needed healthcare because they couldn’t afford it; these numbers span insurance status and are not limited to uninsured individuals.
These factors (plus more) contribute to the challenges of patient retention in chiropractic care, which have adverse effects on both the practice and the patient:
- Lost revenue
- Poor clinical outcomes for patients
- Increased acquisition costs for new patients
Implementing consumer financing for chiropractic care addresses these challenges, empowering clinics to keep adjustment plans on track and reduce treatment drop-off while maintaining the consistent revenue and cash flow needed to sustain the business.
How Consumer Financing Supports Patient Retention for Chiropractic Clinics
Finances play a significant role in a patient’s decision to continue with their chiropractic treatment plan. Cash payments aren’t always realistic, and many patients don’t want to charge care to a high-interest credit card, frequently, their CareCredit card, with an APR rate above 29%. Patients need flexible, affordable payment alternatives to receive complete, professional care. Offering consumer financing options supports patient retention for chiropractic clinics, providing affordable payment plans that today’s consumers have come to expect not only in retail but in healthcare, too.
A recent study by Cedar found that 93 percent of respondents say the quality of the billing and payment experience is at least somewhat important in determining whether they’ll return to a practice for care; 96 percent say it directly impacts overall patient satisfaction. Choosing the right financing partner for your chiropractic clinic directly impacts the patient experience, which, in turn, directly impacts retention and long-term revenue.
Consumer financing programs from seasoned, trustworthy companies like United Consumer Financial Services increase chiropractic bookings and patient retention through
- Increased affordability: Consumer financing breaks down high upfront costs into manageable monthly payments that don’t interfere with planned, every-day budgets.
- Greater accessibility: Financing makes care available to more patients, including those without insurance or with limited coverage.
- Improved appointment consistency: Patients are more likely to follow through on long-term care plans when low monthly payments reduce financial stress.
- Patient trust and satisfaction: Offering flexible options shows that your clinic cares about patients’ financial well-being. Payment options matter: they communicate the value you place on patients, showing them that they’re more than a number, they’re a person deserving of quality, complete chiropractic care.
Benefits of Financing for Chiropractic Clinics
Consumer financing not only improves access to care and facilitates better health outcomes, but it’s also a key tool in helping chiropractic clinics succeed financially. Offering financing helps clinics see
- Higher patient retention and treatment completion rates: Providers can sustain wellness schedules when patients know they can afford care.
- Increased acceptance of recommended treatment plans: Practices can lock in visit continuity when treatment costs are spread over time.
- Greater revenue stability and predictability: Increased retention means more predictable treatment schedules and revenue for the practice.
- Competitive differentiation: Offering affordable patient financing positions the clinic as patient-focused and financially accessible.
By partnering with United Consumer Financial Services, a trusted consumer financing firm for chiropractic clinics, your practice can reap the above benefits as well as the decades of expertise our team brings to the table. A Marmon company, a division of Berkshire Hathaway, UCFS provides end-to-end loan management that allows you and your team to focus on patient care. We handle patient applications, credit decisions, payment collection from your patients for the life of the loans, and more, freeing your staff to focus on tasks that require your time, energy, and talent.
Implementing Financing Successfully in Your Chiropractic Clinic
Implementing financing for your chiropractic patients is an obvious choice, especially when you partner with UCFS. Applying to become a merchant is simple, straightforward, and one of the most effective ways to boost patient retention. Once approved, our seasoned sales team provides one-on-one training, giving you a thorough understanding of the processes and how your clinic can maximize financing services. As soon as you complete training, which typically takes a little under an hour, you can begin reaping the benefits of patient-centric consumer financing.
Here are a few tips for chiropractic clinics to successfully implement and promote patient financing:
- Offer financing upfront as part of the care plan conversation: Emphasizing financing options early and often helps position payment plans as a logical choice for chiropractic patients.
- Train staff to communicate financing options clearly and empathetically: Patients will feel more comfortable adopting a financing plan if your team is knowledgeable and understands the patients’ needs and concerns.
- Address patient concerns about financing: Staff should be able to discuss interest rates, payment timelines, affordability, and other relevant financial details.
- Highlight success stories or hypothetical examples: Help patients see the specific ways they can benefit from an affordable, consistent payment plan. For instance, share about a patient who completed a 12-session plan thanks to financing, and how sustaining wellness schedules will provide long-term health benefits.
Increasing Patient Retention through Consumer Financing from UCFS
Accessible, reliable consumer financing programs directly affect patient retention in chiropractic clinics. Increased affordability translates to increased bookings and patients who complete their treatment –– and come back to your clinic for future needs or maintenance appointments. Financing empowers patients to access care and helps clinics build trust, loyalty, and revenue.
Consumer financing is more than a payment plan; it’s an investment in health. Partner with UCFS to help your patients invest in a better quality of life starting today. Contact our team to learn more about financing for chiropractic clinics that enhances patient retention and helps you grow your business.
