In the rapidly evolving landscape of healthcare, effective communication between medical practices and patients is more critical than ever. As patients increasingly rely on mobile phones for information and updates, medical practices must adapt their outreach strategies to ensure messages reach their intended recipients. This is where 10DLC (10-digit long code) registration comes into play. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of 10DLC registration for medical practices and how it can enhance patient outreach and patient retention while ensuring compliance and reliability.
Understanding 10DLC Registration
10DLC, or 10-digit long code, refers to local phone numbers that have ten digits, similar to personal phone numbers. Unlike short codes, which are typically used for mass marketing campaigns and limited in terms of personalization, 10DLC offers medical practices the opportunity to establish a more genuine and personalized connection with patients.
- Enhanced Trust and Recognition
Patients are more likely to engage with healthcare communications that originate from recognizable and local phone numbers. With 10DLC registration, medical practices can use local phone numbers, which not only increases trust but also improves the likelihood of messages being read and responded to. Patients are more likely to ignore or mark as spam messages from unknown or non-local numbers, which could lead to missed appointments, overlooked important updates, or unreceived health information.
- Personalized Engagement
Medical practices often need to convey sensitive and personalized information to patients. Whether it’s appointment reminders, patient education or reactivation campaigns, patients appreciate messages that are tailored to their specific needs. 10DLC allows medical practices to send personalized messages that resonate with patients on an individual level, fostering a stronger patient-practice relationship.
- Compliance and Deliverability
As healthcare regulations become more stringent, it’s crucial for medical practices to ensure their communication methods are compliant with laws like the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA). By registering their 10DLC numbers, medical practices demonstrate their commitment to ethical patient communication and avoid potential legal issues associated with unsolicited messages or privacy breaches. Moreover, registered 10DLC numbers are less likely to be blocked by carriers or marked as spam, ensuring the messages actually reach patients.
- Flexibility and Control
With 10DLC registration, medical practices have greater control over their messaging campaigns. They can schedule messages for optimal times, segment their patient lists for targeted communication, and adjust their strategies based on patient responses. This flexibility enables practices to optimize their outreach efforts, leading to higher engagement rates and improved patient satisfaction.
Steps to Implement 10DLC Registration
If you’re a Vital Interaction customer, this is something that we take care of on your behalf. If you are not a customer,, hopefully you’ll still find the steps below helpful:
- Choose a Reliable Provider: Select a reputable messaging service provider that offers 10DLC registration services. Ensure they have a track record of compliance and deliverability.
- Verify Identity: Medical practices need to prove their legitimacy to carriers to register their 10DLC numbers. This involves providing accurate business information and adhering to the carrier’s requirements.
- Register Your Numbers: Work with your chosen messaging service provider to initiate the 10DLC registration process. This typically involves submitting your phone numbers and other required information for carrier review.
- Compliance Documentation: Prepare the necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance with relevant regulations, such as TCPA. This may include opt-in records and consent forms.
- Monitor and Optimize: Once your 10DLC numbers are registered, monitor the effectiveness of your outreach campaigns. Analyze response rates, engagement metrics, and patient feedback to refine your communication strategies.
In the age of digital communication, effective patient outreach is essential for medical practices striving to provide exceptional care. 10DLC registration offers a powerful solution for enhancing patient engagement, building trust, and complying with regulations. By investing in 10DLC registration, medical practices can establish meaningful connections with patients, ultimately leading to improved patient outcomes and satisfaction. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, embracing modern communication methods like 10DLC is not just beneficial but necessary for successful patient-practice interactions.