Bankingon wellness:Practices try out monthly payment plans to promote preventive care

摘要

The recession took a little while to hit Encina Veterinary Hospital near San Francisco. When it did, the practice looked for answers in the 2011 Bayer Veterinary Care Usage Study. In one key finding, the study revealed that 45 percent of pet owners said they would visit a veterinarian more often if the practice offered a wellness plan billed monthly.Encina Veterinary Hospital rolled out its wellness plans in 2012. Within a year, the practice had enrolled hundreds of patients in the plans, which include various packages of preventive care services with charges billed monthly rather than at the time of each veterinary visit. The program is still going strong in 2014 as the practice continues to refine it.