Specialist Referral Center in Pennsylvania
The Specialist Referral Process in Three Steps
Referrals are an important part of your healthcare plan because they help ensure that the care you are receiving is right for you. Your primary care physician can recommend that you visit different specialists by providing a referral to a doctor who has specific training in treating your medical condition.
WHAT IS A REFERRAL AND WHY DO I NEED ONE?
Your primary care physician will provide your routine care, preventive care, and treatment for common illnesses and is responsible for helping to coordinate your care. A part of this responsibility is to refer you to specialists when you are facing a medical issue that falls outside of the realm of routine or preventative care.
A primary care provider usually works with a team of specialists in a variety of areas who are considered to be experts in their respective fields. When your primary provider refers you to a specialist, they are recommending you see a doctor whose opinion is trusted. You can certainly provide input on whom you would like to visit as a specialist, even if that person is not necessarily someone who your primary care physician usually works with when referring patients.
The specialist you visit will communicate with your primary care physician to ensure that your medical history is up to date and that you are receiving the care most appropriate for your condition.
Do I Have to Talk to My Primary Provider Before Seeing a Specialist?
Depending on the type of healthcare insurance plan under which you are covered, you may not have to visit your primary care provider before visiting a specialist. However, in order for the comprehensive care offered by primary care providers to be complete, it is good practice to talk with your primary doctor first.
Having one doctor understand your medical history then be able to collaborate with specialists can provide the most individualized and holistic treatment plan for you.
- Step One: Discuss your medical condition or concerns with your primary care provider. You and your doctor can discuss what you are looking for in a specialist and you may even mention specifically that you are interested in visiting a certain doctor’s office.
- Step Two: Your primary care physician will refer you to a specialist and will send your referral information to the specialist. The communication shared between a primary care provider and a specialist maintains its confidentiality and you, as the patient will be asked if you allow the transfer of your private medical records between offices.
- Step Three: Call the specialist’s office to make an appointment. Sometimes your primary care provider can help you schedule an appointment with your specialist, but keep in mind that your specialist’s office is a completely separate entity from your primary care physician’s office.
The Injury Care Center Helps Provide Access to Specialists
At the Injury Care Center, we only utilize the best specialists in their field, specifically including orthopedic, neurologist, surgeon, pain management doctors or hand specialists. We constantly work with primary care providers and are accustomed to the collaborative approach required to most effectively treat our patients. Contact us today for more information.
We’ve recognized that there are many providers of care but not many providers who care!
That is why we wake up every day to serve those in the local community who deserve the best care following work injury, car accident, which results in Back Pain, Neck Pain, Shoulder Pain, Concussion, Headaches, etc.