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Patient Acquisition Cost: How to Lower It with Membership Plans

January 21, 2025
Written by: Jordon Comstock

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Acquiring new patients can be one of the most expensive aspects of running a dental or healthcare practice. Between digital ads, SEO, and traditional marketing efforts, the costs pile up. The good news? A membership program powered by BoomCloud™ can significantly reduce your patient acquisition cost while boosting retention and long-term profitability.

Let’s dive into the strategies that will help you minimize acquisition costs, maximize lifetime value, and create a sustainable growth model for your practice.


What Is Patient Acquisition Cost (PAC)?

Patient Acquisition Cost is the total cost of marketing and sales efforts divided by the number of new patients acquired.

Formula:

PAC=Total Marketing Costs ÷ Number of New Patients

Example:
If you spend $5,000 on ads and gain 50 new patients, your PAC is $100 per patient.


Why High PAC Is a Problem

1. Shrinks Margins

A high PAC cuts into your profit margin, especially when paired with low insurance reimbursements.

2. Limits Growth

Spending more to acquire patients means fewer resources for staff, technology, and other improvements.

3. Missed Retention Opportunities

If you focus only on acquisition without retention, you’ll constantly spend money to replace lost patients.


How Membership Programs Reduce PAC

A well-designed membership program helps lower PAC by turning existing patients into loyal, long-term customers who refer others to your practice.

1. Builds Loyalty

Patients on a membership plan are far more likely to stay with your practice, reducing churn and acquisition costs.

2. Creates Organic Referrals

Happy members naturally share their positive experiences, bringing in new patients without additional marketing costs.

3. Increases Lifetime Value (LTV)

Membership patients spend 2-4x more annually, increasing your return on investment for each patient.


How BoomCloud™ Helps You Scale Membership Programs

BoomCloud™ is your ultimate tool for launching, managing, and growing a successful membership plan.

Features to Reduce PAC:

  • Automated Billing: Simplify recurring payments for members.
  • Analytics Dashboard: Monitor Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), and member growth.
  • Marketing Integration: Use built-in tools to attract and engage patients effectively.

Case Study: 7 to 7 Dental

The Challenge:
7 to 7 Dental wanted to reduce their reliance on PPOs and lower their PAC.

The Solution:
They launched a membership program using BoomCloud™, focusing on uninsured patients and small businesses.

Results:

  • Active Members: 1,200+
  • MRR: $40,000
  • ARR: $480,000
  • Patient Spend: Membership patients spent 3x more annually than PPO patients.
  • PAC Reduction: Referrals from members brought in 25% of new patients at no additional marketing cost.

Quote from Justin Coke:
“BoomCloud™ not only helped us grow our membership base but also reduced our marketing expenses significantly.”


Strategies to Lower PAC with Membership Programs

1. Focus on Ideal Customer Profiles (ICP)

Target patients who are most likely to benefit from a membership plan, such as:

  • Uninsured individuals.
  • Seniors seeking predictable dental care costs.
  • Families needing regular checkups.

2. Leverage Digital Marketing

Use SEO, PPC, and social media ads to promote your membership plan. Highlight exclusive perks and cost savings.

3. Partner with Local Businesses

Offer membership plans as an employee benefit to small businesses in your area.

4. Use Referral Incentives

Reward members who refer friends or family with discounts or freebies.


FAQs

How does BoomCloud™ help reduce PAC?
By automating membership management and creating predictable revenue streams, BoomCloud™ allows you to invest more in patient retention and less in costly marketing campaigns.

How do membership plans create organic growth?
Membership plans encourage loyalty and word-of-mouth referrals, bringing in new patients without additional ad spend.

What’s the ideal PAC for a dental practice?
While it varies by location and specialty, aiming for a PAC under $150 per patient is a solid benchmark.


Final Thoughts: Lower PAC, Higher Profits

Reducing patient acquisition cost is all about creating loyalty and predictable revenue. By launching a membership program with BoomCloud™, you’ll not only lower PAC but also build a thriving practice with loyal, high-spending patients.

Ready to Get Started?
Schedule a BoomCloud™ demo today and discover how to create and scale a membership program that transforms your bottom line.

Click Here to Learn More!

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Jordon Comstock

Author Bio

Jordon Comstock is the Founder & CEO of BoomCloud™, a software that allows practice, clinic & spa owners to build, manage and scale a membership program. This helps practice & clinic owners to create recurring revenue & improve loyalty via membership programs. Jordon is passionate about Music, Hawaii, Healthcare businesses like: dentistry, optometry, med spas and massage spas. Schedule a demo of BoomCloud™ and learn how membership programs can improve your business. Here are more dental books to improve your practice

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