Whatever type of business you have, referrals are generally a great way to gain new customers. Healthcare facilities are no different—referrals, whether from other doctors or previous patients, are an ideal way to increase patients. If you’re not sure how to increase referrals for your facility, consider participating in a patient referral program to achieve healthcare marketing success. Discover how to increase your patient numbers with referral marketing capabilities from AMNY Health Marketing.

What Is a Patient Referral Program?

When most people think of a referral to a healthcare facility or physician, they think of getting it from another medical provider. This is known as physician referral and is often done to recommend patients to a specialist in a certain area. However, there is another type of referral, called a patient referral, that is beneficial for healthcare facilities. These referrals involve word of mouth from existing patients to prospective ones.

Patient referral programs are part of a marketing strategy that uses a medical facility’s existing patient base to attract new patients to it. These programs can vary widely based on the different rules and regulations in their respective states, but they generally consist of the provider asking established patients to refer friends or family members to receive some sort of benefit if their referral makes an appointment. Benefits can include discounts, gift cards, sweepstake entries, or a simple thank you card.

How Referral Programs Help Increase Patients In Your Healthcare Facility

Some states have stricter rules and regulations around patient referral programs and the benefits facilities can offer. It’s important to make sure your program is designed within your state’s rules. Once a patient referral program is properly established, it is an ideal way to attract new patients to your healthcare facility. This is true for a few reasons, including:

They Reach Beyond Traditional Advertising Methods

Hospitals, doctor’s offices, and other healthcare facilities often use traditional advertising methods like TV commercials, newspaper ads, and even social media advertising. These methods can result in new patients, but they also go out to a wider audience that may or may not be interested in medical services. They can also be costly to continue running.

Patient referral programs are a way to directly target certain people who may need medical diagnoses or treatments. Your existing patient base will refer you and your services to their friends or family who need a trusted doctor or facility, making it a more direct way to reach customers. These programs are also very cost-effective compared to TV or newspaper ads.

They Come from a Trusted Source

Although doctors are a trusted group of people, research has shown that patients are starting to trust their friends’ and families’ recommendations more than the ones they receive from experts. According to the latest Global Trust in Advertising report from Nielsen, 92 percent of consumers around the world say they trust earned media, such as recommendations from friends and family, above all other forms of advertising. Since patient referral programs are essentially designed around recommendations to friends and family members, healthcare facilities benefit from this.

They Encourage Stronger Patient Relationships

Medical facilities that don’t utilize patient referral programs may not make patient satisfaction as much of a priority as facilities that do. When a medical facility or provider depends on patient referrals for increased patients, they need to establish strong relationships and trust with their existing patients. When a patient trusts in the quality of care they receive at your facility, they are more likely to agree to refer other patients.

If your facility has already established a patient referral program but isn’t seeing the results you’d like, read more tips on how to make your referral marketing strategy better from AMNY Health Marketing.

Access Referral Marketing Strategies at AMNY Health Marketing  

Whether your medical facility has no shortage of patients or could use more, establishing a patient referral program can help you see increased patient numbers. For help establishing or enhancing a patient referral program, trust the team of healthcare marketing strategists at AMNY Health Marketing. We have a variety of marketing capabilities and insights available, including referral marketing, that can help your healthcare facility see success and growth. To learn more about our services, contact us today.