AI receptionist vs answering service: a buyer's guide
Cost is the first comparison. What each one knows about the practice is the one that matters after month one.
A human answering service staffs a shared queue and usually bills by the minute or message. An AI receptionist answers on your own number under a BAA. Compare them on how cost scales with volume, the BAA on the plan you use, how calls reach staff, and what each one knows about the practice.
Four things to compare
How does cost scale? Ask each vendor how the bill changes when call volume doubles, and what counts as a billable minute or message. Rivvi's pricing is public at rivvi.ai/pricing.
Is the BAA on the plan you will use? Both options handle PHI, so both need a BAA. Rivvi's free organization plan (you and two colleagues) includes a HIPAA BAA. Calls, texts, the website widget, and a phone number are on Team.
How do calls reach staff? Ask how a caller gets to a person, what happens after hours, and who sets the routing. An AI receptionist routes; it does not decide clinical questions.
What does each know about the practice? A shared queue usually works from a script sheet. Ask the AI vendor what it starts from. Rivvi starts from your website and public registries, and you confirm what it found.