ImmunizationUnderstanding the Financial Implications of Immunization Reminder/Recall in a Multipractice Pediatric Group

ObjectiveImmunization reminder/recall is widely recommended as an effective strategy for increasing vaccination rates. We examined the revenue generated from well-child visits scheduled as a result of reminder/recall activities implemented in a multipractice pediatric organization.MethodsPatients aged 19 to 35 months who were due or overdue for vaccines were identified from participating practices and assigned to either standard or enhanced reminder/recall activities. Participants who received standard reminder/recall were observed for the 6-week study period, and the number of appointments in which vaccines were administered was tracked. Participants who received enhanced reminder/recall were contacted up to 3 times and received a letter followed by up to 2 phone calls. Financial information associated with appointments scheduled during the study period was obtained, and revenue was calculated for each dose of vaccine administered. Reminder/recall costs were calculated and overall revenue generated was calculated.ResultsWe identified 3916 children who were potentially due or overdue for immunizations. After review and manual uploading of missing historical vaccines, a total of 1892 participants received the reminder/recall initiative; 942 received standard reminder/recall, and 950 received enhanced reminder/recall. One hundred eighty-two (19%) standard and 277 (29%) enhanced reminder/recall participants scheduled an appointment by the end of the study period (P < .001). After subtracting the cost of reminder/recall activities, an additional $20,066 and $20,235 were generated by standard and enhanced reminder/recall, respectively.ConclusionsWe show that conducting reminder/recall is at a minimum financially neutral, and might increase revenue generated by vaccine administration.