Access To Specialty Care

A referral for care needed right away happens when a doctor or provider feels you need to be seen by a new specialist or provider for a time-sensitive problem. That referral is then reviewed by the receiving clinic. The provider at specialty clinic may resolve your referral in the following ways based on the clinical need:

• They may choose to schedule you as soon as possible (almost always within 30 days).
• They may refer you for care in the community.
• They could determine that they simply need to contact your original provider with advice about next steps in your care. This may be done over the phone or via a note in your medical records.