After-Hours Guide
After-Hours Call Handling Guide for Chiropractors
When a patient wakes up with a locked neck or sharp sciatica pain at 9:00 PM, they do not wait for business hours to find relief. They call the first few chiropractors they find on Google, and the first one to offer an appointment wins a lifetime client worth thousands in long-term care.
Defining Chiropractic Emergencies vs. Routine Care
Not every after-hours call requires you to rush to the clinic. You must distinguish between acute pain, such as a sudden disc flare-up after a car accident, and routine maintenance like a monthly adjustment. Urgent calls often involve patients who cannot sit or stand comfortably, while routine calls are usually about scheduling a $75 initial consultation. By categorizing these calls immediately, you can decide whether to offer a premium-priced emergency slot or simply book them for the next morning.
Key takeaway: Filter calls by pain level to prioritize patients who need immediate relief over those looking for a standard check-up.
The Financial Impact of Missed Calls
A missed call from a new patient isn't just a lost $50 adjustment; it is a lost $1,500 treatment plan. Pain patients are highly motivated and will call the next office on the list if they reach a standard voicemail. Using a tool like SkipCalls ensures that every caller speaks to an AI receptionist that can book them into your calendar immediately, even while you are at dinner. This keeps the patient from calling your competitor across town and secures the high-value initial exam fee before they hang up.
