Missed Calls Cost Small Practices Up to $500K a Year, IntelePeer Says
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United States – October 29, 2026 -- A three-doctor orthopedic practice with a 12% call abandonment rate loses more than $500,000 in revenue a year, while a three-doctor dermatology practice loses roughly $175,000, according to IntelePeer's analysis of healthcare phone access.
The figures exclude the lifetime value of patients who switch providers after a failed call, the company says.
29% of healthcare calls go unanswered, and 85% of held patients do not call back
Across healthcare, the average unanswered call rate is 29%, based on 2023 Accenture and Dental Intelligence data cited by IntelePeer. In dental practices the rate reaches 37%. When patients are put on hold, 60% hang up within a minute, and 85% of those do not call back.
