Millennials – or people born between 1982 and 2000 – now make up over a quarter of the nation’s population. They’re also at the ideal age for LASIK.
Here are three questions millennials tend to ask before investing in LASIK surgery:
“How much will it cost?”
Healthcare is expensive. In general, millennials tend to balk at the price of medical care, particularly for elective procedures. Compared to the general population, millennials are more likely to ask for discounts or pursue cheaper treatment options. They’re also more likely to request a price check or appeal an insurance decision.
That being said, millennials prize experiences and may be willing to pursue LASIK if the benefits outweigh the cost. When you discuss LASIK with your millennial patients, make sure you emphasize the lifestyle advantages that come with the procedure. No more scratched lenses. No more taking out your contacts before bed. Freedom to go on vacation without lugging around lens solution.
You might also want to compare the cost of LASIK to a lifetime of contact lenses or glasses. Once all those little expenses add up, they might find that LASIK is actually more cost-effective in the long-run.
Finally, financing plans like CareCredit might help your patients afford the procedure.
“Can I fit surgery into my schedule?”
Millennials tend to value convenience when it comes to receiving their medical care. According to a study by PNC Healthcare, millennials are twice as likely as baby boomers to prefer retail clinics and acute care facilities since they result in faster, more efficient care. The majority of millennials also prefer to book appointments and pay bills online.
If you want to attract millennials to your practice, make your LASIK appointment process as convenient as possible. Your website should be informative and easy to use.
You should also stress that LASIK recovery is typically quick and straightforward. Millennials will be relieved to hear that most people can return to work the day after surgery.
“Are other people happy with the results?”
A study by HIT Consulting found that more than 75 percent of millennials look at online reviews before selecting a physician. Another study was more conservative, putting that estimate at around 50 percent.
Regardless, there’s little doubt that millennials are tuned into the internet. Millennials who are interested in receiving medical care might plug their symptoms into a search engine; millennials who are curious about elective surgeries may research common outcomes or seek out former patients.
Your practice should have an account on review websites like HealthGrades and Yelp. You may also want an easy way to share patient testimonials. (Keep in mind that millennials tend to be skeptical of anonymous testimonials!)
Are you a LASIK provider who’s interested in finding new ways to market your practice? Or are you looking for access to the latest and greatest refractive technology?