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HealthShare and HCF Launch BookNow, to streamline and increase dental bookings
Leading Australian digital health company HealthShare, in partnership with HCF, has launched BookNow, a new tool designed for dental providers to streamline and increase bookings. Available from October, BookNow integrates two leading health platforms – HCF’s Find a Provider and the HealthShare website – allowing dental practices to streamline the booking process for HCF members and other Australians who use HealthShare’s services annually.
New consumer behaviours emerge
BookNow was developed after HealthShare identified a shift in Australian dental patients’ preferences, with increasing demand for convenience and speed when booking appointments. Online dental bookings have risen steadily, with a third of bookings now occurring after hours and 35% from new patients.[1]
Innovative Partnership Between HCF and HealthShare
Building on their successful collaboration, which includes the industry-first launch of HCF’s Find a Provider tool to help members minimise out-of-pocket payments, HealthShare and HCF have now introduced BookNow. This innovative tool simplifies the dental booking process for both providers and patients. BookNow securely captures appointments 24/7 through the HealthShare website, HCF’s Find a Provider tool and the HCF mobile app. By replacing manual processes requiring patients to call around to find an available dentist, it helps provide dental practices with streamlined booking workflows that improve overall practice efficiency.
Cost-of-living challenges
Ongoing cost-of-living challenges has driven many Australians to delay essential dental care, with 43 percent of women and 35 percent of men admitting they’ve avoided or delayed a dental visit.[1] Forty-five (45) percent of Australians don’t have a regular dentist, with nearly a quarter admitting they refrain from check-ups due to out-of-pocket costs.[2] The BookNow tool helps HCF members find dentists who participate in HCF’s More For Teeth network, minimising patient out-of-pocket costs.
Rami Weiss, Co-Founder at HealthShare, said, “We’re proud to launch BookNow in partnership with HCF. More than just a booking tool, it’s designed to streamline the appointment process for dental providers and their patients. By integrating HCF and HealthShare’s platforms, practices will be able to increase bookings, reduce administrative overheads, and ultimately grow their business. Patients will benefit from the convenience of 24/7 booking access to HCF More for Teeth providers, with the potential to reduce out-of-pocket costs. We hope to continue to expand the tool to reach more dental providers and partners, allowing more Australians and businesses nationwide to benefit.”
Julie Andrews, HCF’s Chief Officer Member Services said, “We know that regular dental care is essential for maintaining overall health, and BookNow helps our members take charge of their oral health by simplifying the appointment process. The partnership with HealthShare allows us to provide members with easier access to care, while also supporting dental providers with technology that reduces administrative burdens. In a time of increasing cost-of-living pressures, we hope this tool will encourage patients to prioritise their oral health, which plays a vital role in preventing more serious health issues.”
BookNow will be available via HCF Find a Provider and HealthShare.com.au from October.
[1] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, November 2023, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/dental-oral-health/oral-health-and-dental-care-in-australia/contents/costs
[2] Australian Patients Association, November 2022, https://www.patients.org.au/more-than-half-of-australians-are-forced-to-skip-the-gp-due-to-cost/
[3] Commbank and Australian Dental Association, April 2024, https://www.commbank.com.au/articles/newsroom/2024/04/dental-insights-report.html
[1] HealthShare internal data