How Athenahealth Clinics Can Use Text-to-Pay to Improve Collections

Uncollected balances are one of the biggest pain points for Athenahealth clinics. Despite providing high-quality care, many practices struggle to collect co-pays and balances efficiently. The problem often lies in outdated billing methods. These include paper statements, manual phone calls that frustrate staff and patients.

By the time payments arrive, weeks or even months may have passed. These delays affect cash flow and increase administrative costs. Patients also find it inconvenient. Few people want to mail checks or log into complex portals just to pay a bill.

Text-to-pay changes that. With secure texting workflows, you can send payment links directly to patients’ phones. Patients can review charges, tap to pay instantly, and receive confirmation. All of these steps happen within minutes.

In this article, we'll explore how to use text-to-pay to improve collections. We will cover the following:

• Key benefits and common use cases of text-to-pay.
• Examples of real success stories of adopting text-to-pay.
• How automation through an integrated text-to-pay system can transform your billing workflows.

Do you want to reduce manual work and improve payment turnaround for your clinic? Read on to learn how you can enhance the overall billing experience for both staff and patients.

The Problem with Traditional Billing in Athenahealth Clinics

In our previous blog, we dove into what text-to-pay means in a healthcare context. Here's why modern clinics should actively make the jump from manual, outdated billing workflows.

Paper Statements Take Too Long to Reach Patients

Paper billing is slow, expensive, and unreliable. It can take several days for a statement to arrive, and even longer for patients to respond. Some never see the bill at all due to address changes or misplaced mail. Delayed statements mean delayed revenue, causing cash flow challenges for Athenahealth clinics. Digital billing Athenahealth workflows, by contrast, deliver payment requests instantly via text, ensuring patients receive their bills right away.

Staff Spend Hours Making Billing Calls

Manual billing calls consume valuable time that could be spent on patient care or revenue strategy. Staff must track balances, make follow-up calls, and manually record payments. These repetitive tasks increase burnout and leave room for errors. Patient billing automation Athenahealth integrations eliminate these inefficiencies by sending reminders automatically and processing payments without staff intervention.

Patients Delay Payments Without Easy Options

Many patients intend to pay their bills but forget or postpone when the process feels complicated. Mailing a check or logging into an unfamiliar portal isn’t convenient. Text-to-pay for co-pays and balances offers instant accessibility—patients can pay right after receiving the message, even while on the go. By making payment frictionless, Athenahealth users see faster turnaround and fewer outstanding balances.

Why Text-to-Pay Improves Collections

Patients Can Pay Instantly From Their Phones

Today’s patients expect convenience. With text-to-pay, they can settle bills in seconds using their smartphones. Secure payment texting healthcare systems ensure data protection while simplifying the process. Patients receive a text with their balance and a direct link to pay via credit, debit, or digital wallet. This instant access drastically reduces the average payment cycle from weeks to days.

Automated Payment Reminders Reduce Follow-Ups

Automation is one of the biggest advantages of text-to-pay collections Athenahealth workflows. Clinics can schedule automatic payment reminders at specific intervals—such as one day before the due date or three days after a missed payment. These gentle nudges prompt patients to take action without requiring staff involvement, helping to increase collection rates with texting.

Secure Transactions Build Patient Trust

Security is a major concern in healthcare payments. Text-to-pay systems built for Athenahealth users include encryption, PCI compliance, and HIPAA safeguards. Patients can pay confidently, knowing their financial and personal information is protected. This trust encourages repeat payments, reducing late accounts and maintaining positive patient relationships.

Use Cases of Text-to-Pay for Athenahealth Users

Pre-Visit Co-Pay Requests Sent by Text

Collecting co-pays before appointments saves time and reduces no-shows. With text-to-pay, Athenahealth users can send payment requests once appointments are confirmed. Patients pay in advance through a secure link, streamlining check-ins and eliminating front desk delays. Clinics see improved revenue predictability and smoother workflows.

Balance Collection Immediately After Visits

Instead of waiting weeks for mailed invoices, text-to-pay enables instant post-visit billing. Once charges are entered into Athenahealth, the system automatically sends a message to the patient with a link to pay. This immediate outreach keeps payments fresh in the patient’s mind, increasing the likelihood of prompt payment and improving overall cash flow.

Payment Reminders for Overdue Accounts

Automated reminders can be configured for overdue balances. Athenahealth users can set customized messages for accounts 7, 15, or 30 days past due. These reminders are polite but effective, reducing outstanding balances without requiring manual calls. Clinics that implement automated reminders typically report faster recovery of unpaid bills.

Insurance and EOB Delivery With Links to Pay

Text-to-pay isn’t limited to co-pays or balances. Clinics can also send insurance explanations of benefits (EOBs) with links for easy payment. Patients can review their portion of charges and pay immediately, reducing confusion and preventing unpaid claims from aging out. This digital-first approach aligns with patient preferences for convenience and transparency.

Benefits of Text-to-Pay for Collections

1. Faster Payments and Better Cash Flow

Text-to-pay drastically shortens the time between service and payment. Clinics that implement secure payment texting healthcare workflows often see payments completed within 24 hours of sending a link. This immediate action keeps revenue moving and eliminates long delays associated with paper billing. With faster payments, Athenahealth users can better manage cash flow and plan for operational growth.

2. Lower Administrative Burden on Billing Teams

Manual billing processes consume staff time and energy. By automating payment reminders and receipts, text-to-pay relieves teams from repetitive tasks such as calling patients or mailing invoices. Patient billing automation Athenahealth integrations can reduce manual workload by up to 60%, allowing billing staff to focus on higher-value tasks like financial reporting and insurance follow-ups.

3. Reduced Cost of Paper Statements and Postage

Printing and mailing paper statements costs both time and money. Each mailed bill adds up—paper, envelopes, postage, and labor. Digital billing Athenahealth workflows cut those costs entirely, offering a sustainable and budget-friendly alternative. Over a year, mid-sized clinics can save thousands by switching to text-based billing communications.

4. Improved Patient Satisfaction With Easy Payments

Patients appreciate convenience. Text-to-pay gives them the ability to pay instantly, securely, and on their own schedule. There’s no need for login credentials, complicated portals, or mailing checks. This frictionless payment process improves patient experience and increases loyalty—patients are more likely to return when billing is transparent and effortless.

5. More Predictable Revenue Cycles

Traditional billing creates unpredictable revenue timelines, making it hard for clinics to forecast income. Text-to-pay provides consistent and measurable payment flow. Automated reminders and instant payment options lead to higher payment completion rates and more reliable financial projections for Athenahealth clinics.

6. Increased Payment Completion Rates

When patients can pay with a single tap, completion rates rise dramatically. Clinics using text-to-pay collections Athenahealth workflows often report 30–40% improvements in payment success compared to traditional methods. Instant payment links reduce friction and make it easier for patients to fulfill financial obligations immediately after receiving care.

7. Enhanced Security and Compliance

Security is critical in healthcare billing. Text-to-pay systems designed for healthcare are fully HIPAA and PCI compliant. Each transaction is encrypted, ensuring patient data and payment details are protected. This compliance not only safeguards patients but also minimizes risk exposure for clinics handling sensitive financial information.

8. Real-Time Payment Tracking and Reporting

With digital billing Athenahealth integrations, clinics can track every transaction in real time. This visibility helps staff identify trends, monitor payment rates, and take proactive action on unpaid balances. Curogram’s analytics dashboards give Athenahealth users instant insight into key metrics, such as collection time and payment volume, enabling data-driven financial decisions.

9. Better Patient Communication and Transparency

Billing confusion often leads to nonpayment. Text-to-pay provides clear communication, including itemized balances and links to view explanations of benefits (EOBs). Patients understand exactly what they owe and can ask questions through secure text if needed. Transparent, two-way communication builds trust and reduces disputes, making collections smoother for everyone involved.

10. Scalability Across Multi-Location or Growing Clinics

As clinics expand, managing billing consistency across multiple locations can be challenging. Text-to-pay automation scales effortlessly, ensuring that each branch follows the same process for sending, tracking, and collecting payments. Athenahealth integrations centralize all payment data, giving administrators unified visibility across locations without adding complexity or cost.

Combined, these benefits demonstrate how text-to-pay transforms the financial health of Athenahealth clinics. By automating billing, improving patient convenience, and maintaining compliance, practices can streamline healthcare payments while strengthening patient trust and satisfaction.

Real-World Examples of Collections Success

Telehealth Provider Increasing Co-Pay Collections by 40%

A telehealth organization implemented text-to-pay to collect co-pays before virtual appointments. Within two months, co-pay collections rose by 40%, and manual billing calls were reduced by more than half. Patients reported greater satisfaction with being able to complete payments before visits.

Specialty Clinic Collecting Balances Faster With Post-Visit Texts

A specialty care clinic started sending text-to-pay links immediately after visits. Average payment turnaround time dropped from 21 days to just 48 hours. The automated reminders also cut down staff workload, allowing billing personnel to focus on higher-value financial tasks.

Multi-Location Practice Improving Collections by 30%

A large, multi-location healthcare group integrated Curogram’s text-to-pay with Athenahealth. Automated workflows standardized payment processes across all offices, resulting in a 30% improvement in overall collection rates and a noticeable reduction in outstanding balances. The group also saved thousands annually by eliminating paper billing.

These success stories highlight the measurable impact of text-to-pay technology. Whether for telehealth providers, specialty practices, or multi-location clinics, the results are consistent—faster payments, lower administrative costs, and happier patients.

By integrating directly with Athenahealth, Curogram provides an all-in-one text-to-pay solution that simplifies digital billing, enhances security, and drives faster, more reliable patient collections.

Conclusion

Traditional billing methods create unnecessary friction for both patients and clinics. Text-to-pay for Athenahealth changes the equation. It offers a secure and efficient way for Athenahealth users to manage collections.

Athenahealth clinics can use text-to-pay in many practical cases. You can boost collections through pre-visit co-pay requests, post-visit reminders, and automated follow-ups. Patients can pay anytime, anywhere. Clinics enjoy faster revenue cycles and lower administrative burden.

With HIPAA- and PCI-compliant text-to-pay integration, Curogram is the best modern billing partner. Athenahealth users can streamline healthcare payments, automate reminders, and increase patient satisfaction.

Ready to simplify billing and boost collections? Book a quick demo today.

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