Requesting a referral
- Visit Your Primary Care Physician. Your primary care physician will evaluate your concern and, if necessary, make a referral to a specialist.
- Verify Your Insurance and Referral Information. Contact your insurance company for referral requirements.
- Make an Appointment with the Specialist.
Can I get a referral without seeing a doctor?
In order to see a specialist, you’ll need a referral from your primary care physician, except in an emergency. Without a referral, your insurance won’t cover the cost of your care.
Can I ask to be referred to a specialist?
You’re entitled to ask for a referral for specialist treatment on the NHS. Generally, you cannot self-refer to a specialist within the NHS, except when accessing sexual health clinics or A&E treatment. A specialist will only see you with a letter of referral from your GP.
How long does it take for a doctor to send a referral?
Most referrals take one week to process. In some cases, your PCP may ask for a “rush” referral, which will take three (3) days.
How do doctors send referrals?
Most referrals are sent using the e-referral system for the booking of hospital appointments. Local services are sent directly by letter. All referrals are usually sent within 24-48 hours of patients seeing the doctors. This is a provisional appointment and will be confirmed by the hospital of your choice.
What happens if I see a specialist without a referral?
Your doctor keeps track of all your medical records and provides routine care. In order to see a specialist, you’ll need a referral from your primary care physician, except in an emergency. Without a referral, your insurance won’t cover the cost of your care.
How long should a referral take?
The current waiting times standards are: 18 weeks Referral to Treatment Standard. 12 weeks for new outpatient appointments. 6 weeks for the eight key diagnostic tests and investigations.
What happens when you get a referral?
Once a referral is submitted, an administrator will typically call the student into their office. This process typically happens in a timely manner, within a day or so. Thus, if an administrator gets a referral about a fight, they have to suspend the student.
Why do doctors refer you to specialists?
part of it likely has to do with the economics of referrals: Doctors who have an ownership stake in their practice are 50 percent more likely to refer to a specialist, which would increase the total revenue generated by a given patient. Physician behavior is governed, to a large degree, by incentives.
What is an urgent referral?
An urgent two-week referral means that you will be offered an appointment with a hospital specialist within 2 weeks of your General Practitioner (GP) making the referral. More information can be found in the NHS Constitution leaflet entitled “Your right: urgent two-week referral” which your GP can give a copy to you.