The Metric That Drives Performance: Patient Visits

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For DSOs, patient visits are the engine of organic growth, fueling both production and profitability.

Each visit strengthens patient relationships, increases diagnostic opportunities, boosts treatment acceptance over the life of the member, and directly impacts the bottom line. So, how can DSOs maximize this critical metric?

One of the most effective strategies to increase patient visits is through membership plans. These plans bundle preventive care -two annual visits – with built-in reappointment. When patients join, they commit to regular care, ensuring consistent visits. Upon renewal—at a minimal additional cost to the practice—they reaffirm their connection to your dental community, fostering loyalty and long-term engagement.

Why membership plans work

Guaranteed Visits: Members have paid for their second visit
Enhanced Patient Loyalty: Members feel invested in their dental care and your practice
More production: Regular visits translate to more treatment over the life of the member

Membership plans are more than just a care bundle—they’re a strategic marketing tool. By tailoring plans to diverse patient needs, DSOs can attract new patients and encourage retention. Consider offering:

Different plans – Perio (3 & 4 visits), Senior, Child, and Adult plans – to address specific patient preferences & needs.
Dynamic Pricing – Adjust pricing by zipcode or urban/suburban/rural setting or by patient segment.
Promotional Offers – Waive enrollment fees during a summer special to convert new patients into members, or even during open enrollment.

These customized plans not only meet patient needs but also make your practice stand out in a competitive market.

What’s the business impact of membership?

Using Plan Forward’s platform, DSOs can seamlessly integrate membership plans and using our AI-powered analytics to track key performance indicators (KPIs) across offices, regions, or enterprise-wide. Our data shows that, compared to uninsured patients, members typically:

Double their annual visits.
Increase treatment acceptance by 45-75%.
Generate 2-3x higher net production.
Book a visit in >65% of cases when membership is mentioned during calls with uninsured patients.

Real-world success stories

Here’s real-world success stories of how two DSOs leveraged Plan Forward’s membership platform to transform their performance:

DSO #1

Profile: Multi-state DSO with urban and suburban locations, in-network with multiple PPOs.
Goal: Assess membership’s business impact to refine payer mix strategy.
Onboarding: October 2023.
Results:

	Member (TTM)	Uninsured Patient (TTM)	Ratio
Net Production	$1,095	$345	3.2
Visits	2.51	1.13	2.2

DSO #2

Profile: Urban DSO, in-network with major PPOs.
Goal: Boost services per visit and attract self-pay patients.
Onboarding: January 2025.
Results:

	Member (Jan-May)	Uninsured Patient (TTM)	Ratio
Net Production	$727	$387	1.9
Visits	1.33	0.5	2.7

Note: Results include all locations live on the platform, even if they have been live shorter than 12 months (for DSO #1) and 5 months (for DSO #2). Actual results for other DSOs may vary, but the trend consistently show members visit more and produce higher revenue per visit.

How Plan Forward Empowers DSOs

Plan Forward’s platform is purpose-built for DSOs, enabling scalable, efficient membership programs. We support your success by:

Seamless Integration: Syncs daily with leading practice management systems (PMS).
Revenue Cycle Tools: Ensures accurate provider compensation and financial tracking.
Strategic Guidance: Offers pricing, marketing, and performance recommendations based on real-time data.
Comprehensive Training: Equips your team for smooth adoption and execution.
Compliance: Handles state-by-state regulatory requirements.
AI-powered Performance Monitoring: Tracks KPIs to optimize membership impact.

Membership Matters Now

As DSOs seek to grow self-pay revenue, increase patient visits, and reduce reliance on PPOs, membership plans offer a proven, flexible solution. They serve as a powerful lever for marketing, patient retention, and financial sustainability—especially in uncertain economic climates. By prioritizing patient visits through membership, DSOs can drive performance and build a thriving dental community.

Ready to transform your practice?

If you have a membership program in place, visit planforward.io or book a meeting here for a no-obligation Membership Assessment. We’ll help you implement membership plans that deliver real results.