A woman sits on a couch, holding her laptop and smiling, to illustrate how an AI call agent helps healthcare providers have more time.

The healthcare industry has its share of challenges, and AI adoption is among them. It’s a strange turn for such a major industry.

Healthcare spending in the U.S. was $4.9 trillion in 2023, accounting for 17.6% of the country’s GDP. Yet the industry has been slow to adopt tech poised to revolutionize healthcare and reduce costs.

What’s holding the industry back from embracing AI?

We’ll explore why healthcare AI adoption lags and how tools like AI call agents offer smart solutions to everyday challenges.

Why Is AI Adoption Low in Healthcare?

Technical and personal factors alike contribute to heel-dragging in the use of healthcare AI.

Data Challenges 

Patient data is often fragmented across various systems, making it difficult to access and integrate for AI training. Inconsistent data formats and missing values can affect an AI model’s accuracy and reliability. 

Then there’s the elephant in the room: HIPAA. As a healthcare provider, you may have concerns about privacy laws and data breaches.

Technical Challenges

Many AI models, especially deep learning ones, are “black boxes.” In other words, it’s difficult for the AI layperson to understand how they arrive at decisions. That’s enough to make any healthcare pro struggle with trusting them.

And of course, integrating AI tools into your daily workflow and EMR/EHR can be complex. 

Human Challenges

As humans, we’re resistant to change. Even highly trained healthcare providers may not be ready to learn a new AI tool.

We trace this understandable resistance to an unfortunate lack of literacy. The ability to comprehend, evaluate, and use AI may not be in your wheelhouse. And it shouldn’t be with a user-friendly AI system that works for you.

[Related: How To Run a More Efficient Practice With a Virtual Healthcare Front Office]

Why AI Leads to a More Efficient Healthcare System

AI tools significantly enhance the speed and efficacy of healthcare delivery, bar none. A tool like an AI call agent takes over repetitive tasks, allowing you to focus on and anticipate patient needs. And you don’t have to hire more staff.

AI assistants also modernize appointment management and data-gathering. Advanced AI can help you make faster, more informed diagnoses with a holistic view of patient data.

Plus, smart AI assistants don’t require extensive (if any) hands-on training. But its advantages don’t end at your practice.

For the U.S. Economy

Healthcare AI can generate significant cost savings for the entire U.S. healthcare system, estimated at $200 to $360 billion annually. This includes substantial reductions in administrative costs, projected to account for 35% of the total savings

Every step toward AI adoption counts. You see lower costs for everyone involved — patients, providers, insurance companies, and the nation.

For Patients

AI tools improve patient care and communication. Advanced call routing (like AI call agents use) ensures patients enjoy easy scheduling and shorter wait times. Those wait times are a major pain point

Cloud-based AI expands access to care, particularly for patients in remote areas. AI also personalizes care, identifies risks, and provides precise advice by analyzing patient data. In one of the biggest and most costly U.S. sectors, dependable communication goes a long way.

[Related: The Secret to Increasing Patient Acquisition]

What Are AI Call Agents?

Let’s get down to brass tacks — here’s what AI call agents do.

AI call agents are sophisticated digital assistants designed for healthcare settings. They’re HIPAA compliant and use innovative AI to automate communication, streamlining processes that usually demand human intervention. They also manage administrative tasks like scheduling, insurance checks, and payment collection.

[Related: Automated Medical Answering Services: Are They Worth It?]

11 Reasons AI Call Agents Outperform Traditional Staff and Call Centers

When you weigh hiring a new staff member, enlisting a call center, or adopting an AI call agent, the agent’s advantages are apparent. 

1. An AI Call Agent Costs Less Than Staff or Call Centers

Call centers cost around $1.10 per minute for inbound services and up to $50 per hour for outbound services. The price varies according to what features they handle, your office size, and how long calls take. Regardless, the final bill adds up fast.

Hiring a new medical secretary or administrative assistant means doling out a salary ranging from $29,040 to $53,630. You’re bound by the type of role you hire and your state’s average wage.

An AI call agent costs less yearly than one new staff member’s monthly salary

2. It Eliminates Missed Calls

AI call agents are extra-efficient receptionists who never tire or put your patients on hold. They handle a cascade of calls, ensuring each patient gets a fast answer. Missed or unreturned calls are a red flag for your practice — parents are more likely to look elsewhere for care.

3. One Agent Can Answer Concurrent Calls

Smart call agents handle multiple calls simultaneously, so call management isn’t an issue. Of course, prompt attention and shorter wait times enhance your overall service quality. Check out how an AI call agent works.

4. The Agent Is Available 24/7

AI agents don’t sleep. They don’t take coffee or bathroom breaks. They allow patients to access information, book appointments, or get advice anytime. 

Your patient engagement gets a shot in the arm, while ongoing communication leads to better care outcomes.

5. The Agent Can Answer All Nonclinical Questions

AI call agents are friendly helpers who can answer common health questions and schedule appointments. With natural language processing (NLP), they grasp complex queries and respond like a person.

You, your nurses, and your staff are free to turn your attention to patients who need expert, tailored communication. Everyone gets the proper care at the right time!

6. The Agent Eliminates Administrative Tasks

Answering, returning, and scheduling calls and appointments significantly drain your staff’s time. AI call agents lighten the load:

  • Automate data entry, such as caller information, and make manual errors obsolete.
  • Schedule appointments, access calendars, book appointments, and send reminders.
  • Retrieve information to find patient records and answer questions in a snap.
  • Route calls, directing callers to the right department or resource instantly.

7. You Implement and Manage No Technology

AI integration with your practice’s phone system is simple, especially when your software provider offers ongoing support. 

Adopting AI is similar to a plug-and-play setup, where you redirect calls to the AI agent. No complicated installations or tech snags arise. Your clinic has an up-and-running AI call assistant swiftly.

8. The Impact Is Immediate

An AI call agent quickly improves workflow efficiency and patient service delivery. Your practice sees advantages as soon as your agent is operational. Patients and staff take notice of time savings, crafted care, and clear communication.

And you don’t have to learn an entirely new system as you enjoy its many benefits.

9. You Grow Your Practice

AI call agents help you grow your practice, whether you’re new in your community or a long-established clinic. This is particularly valuable for small practices that don’t necessarily have the time or budget to allocate to new hires.

Virtual agents extend your practice’s patient outreach without sacrificing service quality. Again, quality communication is something patients — new and potential — truly value when looking for a provider

10. The Agent Moves Data to Your EMR/EHR Automatically

This is a big issue regarding healthcare AI — or any ancillary software. You depend on your EHR/EMR for everyday practice management.

AI call agents provide effortless data management, ensuring patient interactions go instantly into your EMR/EHR. You get accurate, up-to-date patient information alongside around-the-clock call-answering services.

11. An Agent Provides Consistent, Impartial Services

AI call agents excel at delivering human-like, customizable service across phone, text, and chat. You won’t encounter hiccups with patient-staff dialogue. They help your patients with the same courtesy, accuracy, and kindness. 

Your patients feel — and are — valued and heard, building trust. Naturally, greater trust and satisfaction enhance patient retention.

[Related: How To Do Patient Screening the Right Way]

Takeaways: Healthcare AI and Efficiency

Here’s the rundown.

The healthcare sector is slow to adopt AI for an array of reasons. Still, AI tools are cutting-edge routes to a more efficient and economical industry. 

A solution as seemingly simple as an AI call agent gives your practice and the industry a boost: 

  • Costs are lower for you, your patients, and the healthcare sector.
  • It considerably outperforms new staff and call centers. 
  • Adopting AI now gives your practice a leg up in the industry.
  • An agent handles administrative tasks, patient intake and common questions. 
  • You retain top-tier service standards without the need for extra staff. 
  • You get synchronized, meticulously managed data in your EHR/EMR. 
  • You’re ready to stay competitive and gain new patients with optimal communication. 

[Related: Considering Using AI at Your Practice? Here’s Where To Start]

Embrace AI and Grow Your Practice With an AI Call Agent

So, what’s holding you back? We’re happy to walk you through our AI Call Agent at Wendi. If you have questions, our FAQ has answers. 

Contact us or speak with our team for more guidance on using AI at your practice! Request a Wendi AI Call Agent demo to see how it works.

Published On: January 23, 2025Categories: Healthcare

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