Your best marketing is a member telling a friend about you. A referral program makes that easier and more likely. Keep it simple: make it easy to share, thank people who refer, and check with an attorney before offering anything of value.
Why referrals matter
A friend's recommendation answers the trust question before the first call. Track it and see for yourself.
Make sharing easy
- A short link or card members can pass on.
- A line in your newsletter: "Know someone who'd like a doctor they can text? Send them this link."
- A referral field on your enrollment form.
Thank every referrer
A personal thank-you note or a call from the doctor goes a long way, and it's always allowed.
Before you offer rewards
Rewards for referrals, such as a free month or a gift card, can raise legal questions for medical practices. Federal rules limit gifts and inducements offered to Medicare and Medicaid patients. Ask a healthcare attorney before offering any reward.
Measure it
In a made-up example, 15% of members referred someone last year, bringing 40 new members. If a member is worth $2,000 over time, that's $80,000 of value from thank-you notes. What a member is worth.
What I'd do this week
- Make a referral card or link.
- Add a referral field to enrollment.
- Write thank-you notes to everyone who referred someone this year.
Common questions
Can I give a free month for referrals?
Ask a healthcare attorney first. Federal rules limit gifts and inducements offered to Medicare and Medicaid patients.
Should I give rewards to the new member too?
Same answer: check with an attorney before offering anything of value.
How do I know who referred someone?
Ask at enrollment, and record the referrer's name.
Want to see what referrals are worth to you?
We reconcile every account every month and send your P&L and Balance Sheet by the 15th, so you can see what each new member is worth and what it cost to get them. If that's what you need, apply to work with us.