Patient Engagement Software

Patient engagement software is a specialized digital platform designed to help healthcare practices improve communication and build stronger relationships with patients. It centralizes key workflows such as online appointment scheduling, digital intake, two-way messaging, and post-visit follow-ups within a single, unified dashboard. These tools reduce manual work for staff, minimize no-show rates, and make it easier for patients to stay informed and involved in their care. 

The software allows practices to move from phone-based interactions to convenient, automated communication. Patients can confirm visits, message their care team, complete pre-visit documentation, and receive personalized health reminders without having to call or visit the clinic. This improves patient satisfaction and gives staff more time to focus on clinical work.  

In the following sections, we will explore the core features, benefits, and implementation best practices of patient engagement software to help you choose the right platform for your practice. 

We analyzed over a thousand user reviews to identify the key features that drive effective patient engagement across general and specialty practices. Here’s a list of the core functionalities that matter most to modern healthcare practices: 

Automated Appointment Reminders 

A 2023 MGMA report found that 37% of medical groups experienced a rise in patient no-show rates. Patient engagement software with automated appointment reminders sends timely messages and collects confirmations or rescheduling requests to help minimize these missed visits. One major U.S. health system recently saw an 8.5 percent drop in no-shows and a 60 percent rise in confirmations after implementing this feature. 

Digital Patient Intake 

Manual intake processes often result in errors and extended wait times, which affect patient satisfaction and retention. Digital patient intake solutions enable patients to complete forms electronically before their visit to reduce errors, speed up check-ins, and improve the overall patient experience. This workflow also increases data accuracy and helps staff focus more on patient care instead of paperwork. 

Two-Way Secure Messaging 

A 2025 Black Book report highlights that 86% of patients report higher satisfaction with providers offering secure, personalized two-way messaging. Patient engagement software that supports this feature enables real-time communication between patients and clinicians through HIPAA-compliant text or in-app chat. Patients can ask post-visit questions, send symptom photos, or clarify instructions without having to call or schedule another visit. 

Patient Education 

Recent studies suggest that 68% of patients are more likely to return to providers who share educational materials. Patient engagement software with integrated patient education tools allows providers to send personalized health content by email or text, such as care instructions, prevention tips, or condition-specific videos. This helps patients better understand their health, follow their care plans, and stay engaged between their visits. 

Patient Feedback And Surveys 

Understanding patient experiences is key to improving care delivery. Patient engagement software solutions with a built-in feedback system can help practices send short surveys by email or text after visits to collect real-time insights. Clinics can use this input to identify service gaps, streamline workflows, and create a more patient-centered experience. Over time, regular feedback helps build stronger provider-patient relationships and increases satisfaction. 

Online Billing 

Patients often struggle with manual billing processes that are slow and inconvenient. A recent survey by PYMNTS found that 70% of consumers prefer a unified digital platform for managing medical bills. The best patient engagement software gives patients a secure way to view and pay balances through a single portal on their phone. This convenience improves the payment experience and helps clinics collect revenue faster. 

Below is a list of key benefits based on verified industry insights that healthcare facilities can expect when using dedicated software for patient engagement: 

• Improved Patient Retention: Uses targeted outreach and post-visit follow-ups to keep patients engaged with their care plan and encourage return visits 
• Faster Patient Throughput: Combines online registration, smart queues, and real-time tracking to move patients through check-in and intake faster 
• Reduced No-Shows And Cancellations: Sends automated reminders and confirmations across text and email channels to ensure patients stay on track with their appointments 
• Data-Driven Operational Decisions: Tracks key engagement metrics like patient satisfaction scores, wait-time averages, and return likelihood to inform staffing and workflow adjustments 
• Stronger Online Reputation: Drives more positive reviews and ratings with automated post-visit surveys and centralized feedback management tools 
• Optimized Front-Desk Efficiency: Minimizes paperwork and phone calls by automating scheduling, intake, and communication workflows for front-office staff 

The cost of patient engagement software depends on the required features, practice size, and integration needs. Entry-level plans with basic functionalities typically start at around $19/month. More advanced packages with capabilities such as multi-channel messaging, engagement analytics, and EHR integration can reach up to $499/month. Pricing may also include separate charges for onboarding, training, and customization, depending on the vendor. 

Disclaimer: The pricing estimates have been sourced from third-party websites and are subject to change. 

We gathered first-hand insights from health professionals across 20 specialties to identify what truly matters when choosing the right patient engagement software. Here’s a list of key factors to ensure the platform aligns with both your patient communication strategy and operational goals: 

• Flexible Communication Capabilities: Effective patient engagement requires practices to reach patients through their preferred communication channels. Choose a software system that supports multi-channel outreach like SMS, email, and portals to improve patient responsiveness 
• Customization Options: Look for a solution that supports personalized messaging and segmentation of patient groups. Customization helps deliver relevant information and improves patient response rates 
• Scalability And Integration: Patient engagement software should grow with your practice and integrate smoothly with your existing EHR and practice management systems. This ensures consistent workflows and avoids disruptions as your communication needs expand 
• Ease Of Use: Complex software systems frustrate both staff and patients. Choose a platform with a clean interface and simple navigation to boost usage and reduce training time 
• Data Security And Compliance: Patient engagement tools handle sensitive patient information that requires strict protection. Make sure the software complies with HIPAA regulations and provides secure storage and transmission of data to safeguard privacy and build trust