Why the Digital Front Door Is Critical to the Healthcare Revenue Cycle

Patient financial responsibility is often hidden within the complex arrangements among healthcare providers, health plans, and government agencies. Even for professional revenue cycle staff, it can be difficult to efficiently ascertain a patient’s estimated out-of-pocket cost based on eligibility, network participation, benefits, or co-insurance, let alone communicate that information clearly to the patient.

Through the digital front door, health systems can offer consumers and patients – and providers who refer their patients for care – a structured, guided process for choosing the services that best meet their needs, clinically and financially.

At the same time, the health system can align clinical appropriateness with payment to load balance their capacity with known demand. With the digital front door as the entry point to the digital healthcare marketplace, a substantially more convenient and effective service model is possible.