New to Referrals? Let us Get You Moving
You have signed up as a referral partner — now you're ready to help someone get the care they need. What is next?
This blog walks you through a practical 30-day plan to help you start taking action, build confidence, and submit your first patient case — one step at a time. Smart, simple moves that make a real difference.
Your 30-Day Action Plan (Week by Week)
Here is how many successful referral partners begin — broken down into focused weekly goals that are easy to follow and proven to work.
Week 1: Set Up for Success
Start by preparing the basics that will support everything you do moving forward.
- Create a simple tracker — use a notebook, a note on your phone, or a Google Sheet.
- List 15-20 people who:
- Were recently diagnosed
- Are still unsure about what to do next
- Mentioned “thinking about going abroad”
- Haven’t started treatment yet
- Then, reach out to 5–7 people with a soft message. Nothing complicated — just something like:
“Hi [Name], if you or someone you know is looking for better treatment options, I might be able to help with the process. You can always reach out.”
- You can also talk to someone in your network — a pharmacist, a community leader, or a clinic staff member. They often hear about people in need of support.
Week 2: Listen for Real Cases
The focus this week is on listening and identifying real opportunities to help.
Engage 5–10 people from your list and listen for phrases like:
- “We have seen many doctors, but nothing has changed.”
- “We’re waiting for a decision.”
- “They’re still looking at other options.”
When you hear things like this, respond gently:
“Would you like me to check if there are better options available?”
Keep it relaxed. People often open up more when they don’t feel rushed or pressured.
Week 3: Help Them Move Forward
If someone expresses interest, offer to guide them.
- Ask a few simple questions about their situation:
“Have they been diagnosed?” “Is it urgent?” “Are they already considering travel?” - Let them know you can help support the process of planning, connecting, and navigating the next steps.
- It is okay if they need time. Offer to check on options and follow up with details later.
Follow-up is key — sometimes people need a little space before they’re ready to move.
Week 4: Submit Your First Case
By now, someone on your list is likely ready — or almost ready — to move forward.
- Choose one clear lead from your conversations
- Make sure the patient (or caregiver) is informed and ready
- Collect the details you need and submit the case
You’re not doing this alone — once the case is submitted, our team supports from there. You stay in the loop and continue to be the trusted point of contact.
Most partners find that once the first case is done, the next ones feel a lot easier
Why Some Referrals Fail — and How to Avoid It
Let’s talk about what can cause delays — and how to handle them:
What Often Happens | What You Can Try Instead |
| Giving too much info too early | Keep it simple first. Focus on the need, not the full process. |
| Not following up | A short, polite follow-up message after 2–3 days often makes a difference. |
| Speaking to someone who is not the decision-maker | Ask gently: “Who in the family is helping them with treatment decisions?” |
| Not knowing what to ask | Keep it to the basics: name, condition, urgency, and whether they have done any tests. |
| Assuming they’re not interested if they go quiet | Timing matters. A delay doesn’t always mean a no — sometimes people just need space. |
How to Submit a Patient Case (Step-by-Step)
When someone is ready, here’s how to support them clearly and respectfully.
- Ask if they’d like help with exploring better treatment options
- If they agree, gather:
- Patient’s name
- Diagnosis or medical concern (if known)
- Their current location
- Whether it’s urgent, or still in discussion
- Share these details with your referral manager or submit via your dashboard
- Stay in touch — you’ll get updates on what happens next
Patient's consent is important. Always make sure the patient (or guardian) is comfortable sharing their info.
Quick Recap: What You Can Do in Your First 30 Days
| Week | Goal | What to Focus On |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Setup | List people, start light messages, update status |
| Week 2 | Connect | Start conversations, listen for interest |
| Week 3 | Guide | Offer help, get needed info |
| Week 4 | Act | Confirm and submit your first case |
Your first case doesn’t need to be perfect. It just needs to happen. From there, everything gets easier.
People around you are looking for guidance. You don’t need to have all the answers — you just need to be someone they can come to.
Start with one message. One conversation. One case. You’re closer than you think.
