AI receptionist for clinics in Odisha: how it works, what it costs, and what it must never do

1. The problem it solves

Most clinics in Odisha run on one mobile number. During OPD the doctor can't pick up, the receptionist is with a patient, and after 9 pm nobody answers. Each missed call is a family that may call the next clinic on Google. An AI receptionist doesn't replace your staff: it answers the calls they can't.

2. How it works (AI automation, step by step)

• A patient calls your usual number. If nobody picks up or the line is busy, the call is forwarded to the AI receptionist. You set this once with your phone's call-forwarding codes, so your number never changes.
• The AI agent answers in the caller's language (Odia, Hindi or English), naturally and in your clinic's name.
• It books the visit: name, preferred day and time and which clinic location, straight into the clinic calendar.
• The patient gets a WhatsApp confirmation and a reminder before the visit, which cuts down on forgotten appointments.
• You see every call on your ClinicLoop dashboard: who called, what they wanted, which bookings were made, and your minute balance.

3. What it must never do

• No diagnosis, no prescriptions, no medical advice. If a caller describes symptoms, the AI takes a message for the doctor or books a visit.
• Emergencies go to 108 immediately. Chest pain, breathing trouble, a convulsing child: the AI tells the caller to call 108 or go to the nearest emergency department.
• No promises about outcomes and no "best doctor" claims, so the clinic stays in line with NMC's 2026 advertising guidelines.
• Patient details stay private and are used only for the booking and the reminder.

4. What it costs

Prices are plus GST. Many clinics in Rourkela and Bhubaneswar use Odia, because patients are often most comfortable speaking it.

• ₹14,999 one-time setup, then ₹4,999 a month per clinic. The same price everywhere in India.
• Call minutes are prepaid from your dashboard: ₹4/min in Hindi or English, ₹6/min in Odia or other Indian languages.
• Included: WhatsApp confirmations and reminders, and you keep your existing number.

5. It's already running at a clinic in Rourkela

Dr. Saumya Ranjan Patra's paediatric practice in Rourkela uses ClinicLoop's AI receptionist, "Ananya", on its booking line. It takes appointments for his clinic locations around the clock and confirms them on WhatsApp.

6. How long setup takes

• We learn your timings, locations and fees.
• We write the call script in your languages and test it with you.
• You switch on call forwarding (one code on your phone).
• It goes live, usually in about 10 working days. You approve the script before any patient hears it.

7. AI receptionist vs hiring another receptionist

A trained human receptionist is irreplaceable at the front desk. But one person can't answer two calls at once, can't work 24 hours, and goes home at night. The AI receptionist covers the gaps (busy lines, OPD hours, nights and Sundays) for less than the cost of a part-time salary, while your team looks after the patients in front of them.

Frequently asked questions