![]() All your medical information is regarded as private and confidential. Once the specialist has seen you, they will in turn send details of your recommended treatment back to the doctor or health professional who referred you. ![]() The referring doctor or health professional will provide the specialist with as much information about your condition as they think is needed. But Medicare will not cover any costs if you visit a specialist without a referral. Many specialists will still see you, although some might not. What happens if you visit a specialist without a referral? If you are unhappy with a diagnosis or feel there might be better treatment options, do not be afraid to ask your doctor to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion. This helps to ensure that the referral contains the information the other health practitioner needs. You can discuss your needs with them, and they can properly assess you. Make an appointment with your GP or doctor and ask them to write you a referral. For example, you may need a referral by a specialist for certain types of MRI scans. Some services can only be ordered by a particular specialist. Referrals can be made by doctors, dentists and certain allied health professionals - nurse practitioners, midwives, physiotherapists, osteopaths, optometrists and psychologists. Referrals from specialists and consultant physicians to other specialists are limited to 3 months unless the patient is admitted to hospital. If you develop a new condition, you will need a new referral for that condition. If you need continuing care, such as for a chronic (continuing) health condition, the GP can write a referral beyond 12 months or for an indefinite period. The referral covers all the visits to the specialist for that condition. They should cover a single course of treatment for the condition you are being referred for. Most referrals from general practitioners (GPs) to specialists are limited to 12 months. The doctor can address it to a particular person or make a general referral without using the name of the specialist (for example, addressing it to 'Dear psychiatrist'.) How long does a referral last? You can choose the individual specialist you want to be referred to or ask your doctor to recommend someone. the signature of the referring practitioner.What information does a referral include? use pathology services, such as blood tests.get x-rays or use other diagnostic imaging services.You are likely to need a medical referral or request to: they believe you need specialised tests or investigationsįor example, someone with pregnancy complications may be referred to an obstetrician, or a person with cancer may be referred to an oncologist and surgeon.they believe you need treatment that the other person can give.they believe you need expertise that the other person has.Your health professional might refer you to someone else if: they know exactly what they are being asked to doĪ referral is also used to indicate that the consultation or test you are being referred for is clinically important, and that Medicare should cover at least part of the cost.they are aware of relevant background information.the person you are being referred to does not have to ask so many questions.What does a referral do?Ī referral provides information about you and your condition so that: Related information on Australian websitesĪ referral is a written request from one health professional to another health professional or health service, asking them to diagnose or treat you for a particular condition. ![]() What happens if you visit a specialist without a referral?.What information does a referral include?.
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