This week, I want to take a moment to discuss something close to my heart—referrals. I am deeply grateful for all the referrals I receive. My business thrives on them. I don’t engage in cold calling, spamming, or any intrusive marketing strategies. Instead, my growth comes from the trust I’ve built with clients and my presence on social media. Your referrals are the lifeblood of my business, so thank you—and keep them coming!

Now, let’s talk about what happens when you refer someone to me. Everyone I work with is unique, with different needs and circumstances. No two people have the same income, family size, or employment status. This means that the health insurance plan I recommend for one person might not be the right fit for another—even if they’re in the same family.

Here’s where things can get tricky. You might hear from someone, “Mary got an amazing plan from you that barely cost her anything!” That’s fantastic for Mary, but when I speak to Jane, her situation might be entirely different. Jane might not qualify for the same plan as Mary, simply because their circumstances vary—be it family size, income, age, or even where they live. I always strive to offer a range of options, but it’s important to understand that Jane’s plan might come with a different price tag than Mary’s.

Several factors influence the cost and availability of a health plan:

• Age
• Family income
• Employment status (self-employed or not)
• Medications
• Doctors they need to see

That’s why clients must provide me with all the relevant information. Forgetting to mention a medication, a doctor, or even a health event from a couple of years ago can lead to a mismatch between the plan I suggest and the one that’s truly right for them.

Cost is just one piece of the puzzle. How you use your coverage is just as important. Mary might only visit the doctor once a year for a wellness check, while Jane needs quarterly visits to manage conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Naturally, their health plans will differ because their needs are different.

While I always present multiple options, those options are tailored to the unique factors each client brings to the table. So, if Jane feels that her plan isn’t as affordable or comprehensive as Mary’s, it’s not because I didn’t want to give her the same options—it’s because her situation required a different solution.

Please continue to refer your friends and family to me. I’m always happy to provide a free consultation. If I can’t help someone, I’ll be honest about it. If COBRA is the better option, I’ll say so. But more often than not, I can find a plan that saves money, offers better coverage, and checks most of the boxes.