What is a referral? (2024)

Key facts

  • A referral is a letter from your doctor to another health professional or health service.
  • Most referrals are from GPs to specialists and last for 12 months.
  • If you have a referral, Medicare should cover part of the costs for further tests or treatment.

What is a referral?

A referral is a letter from your doctor or health professional to another health professional or health service. Referrals are made to get expert help with the diagnosis or treatment of your health problem.

Most referral letters are written by your family doctor (general practitioner, or GP). Referrals can be made to:

Who can make a referral?

Referrals can be made by health professionals such as:

  • doctors
  • dentists
  • nurse practitioners
  • midwives
  • physiotherapists
  • optometrists
  • psychologists

What information does a specialist referral include?

Your referral should include:

  • up-to-date information about your health issue
  • the date of the referral
  • the reason for the referral
  • the name, contact details and signature of the person writing the referral

You can choose which specialist you want to be referred to. You can also ask your doctor to recommend someone.

Your doctor can address the referral to a particular person. Sometimes they can make a general referral — this is when they write the referral without using the name of a particular specialist. An example would be writing 'Dear psychiatrist' instead of a name.

How do I get a referral?

Make an appointment with your doctor to talk about your health issues. You can ask your doctor to write you a referral. They will be able to advise you on which type of specialist you need to see.

How much will it cost to see the specialist?

If you have a referral, Medicare should cover at least part of the cost of further tests or treatment advice.

It's always a good idea to ask the cost when you book your appointment.

If you have private health insurance, this may cover some of your costs, depending on what your referral is for. Private health insurance does not cover:

  • visits with specialists in their rooms
  • imaging and tests to diagnose a condition

It's best to check with your insurance company to see what they will cover.

What happens if you visit a specialist without a referral?

Many specialists will still see you, although some might not. Medicare will not cover any costs if you visit a specialist without a referral.

How long does a referral last?

Most referrals from GPs to specialists last for 12 months. This amount of time should cover a single course of treatment for your health condition. The referral covers all of your visits to the specialist for that condition.

Some people need longer-term care, such as for chronic (ongoing) health conditions. In these cases, your GP can write a referral beyond 12 months. They could also write the referral with no end date.

If you develop a new health issue, you will need a new referral.

Sometimes a specialist may want to refer you to another specialist. These referrals are usually limited to 3 months.

Sharing information and privacy

Your referring doctor or health professional will give the specialist information about you and your health condition.

The specialist that you see will send back details of your treatments and their advice to your doctor. All your medical information is private and confidential.

If you feel uncomfortable with this, talk to your referring doctor or health professional.

How do I get a second opinion?

Sometimes you may be unhappy with a diagnosis or feel there might be better treatment choices. Do not be afraid to ask your doctor to refer you to another specialist for a second opinion.

A second opinion can help you have peace of mind or give you another point of view. You have the right to ask for as many opinions or referrals as you want.

Resources and support

There is more information on referrals at Services Australia.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is a referral? (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when someone gets a referral? ›

A referral sends someone somewhere, often for help or advice. You'll need a referral from your doctor in order to see a specialist.

What is the purpose of a referral? ›

A referral is a letter from your doctor or health professional to another health professional or health service. Referrals are made to get expert help with the diagnosis or treatment of your health problem. Most referral letters are written by your family doctor (general practitioner, or GP).

What is a referral in school do? ›

Well, a school discipline referral is simply a way for a teacher to refer a student to an administrator to be disciplined. It's usually a physical form that a teacher will fill out and turn into the office with information about the incident and what steps the teacher has taken to correct the problem.

What is a referral from a job? ›

An employee referral is a recommendation of a candidate for a job opening by an existing employee or someone in the candidate's network. It's an endorsem*nt suggesting the candidate's suitability for the role, often part of an incentivized referral program.

Is a referral a big deal? ›

A good referral will get your CV in front of the hiring manager, skipping the screening and HR process. If you just get permission to put someone's name on the application that may not count for much.

What happens during a referral? ›

A referral lays the groundwork for your appointment with a specialist. It communicates basic information about your medical history and the reason for the visit. Having these facts at hand makes the process of seeing a new doctor go more smoothly and efficiently.

Is referral a good thing? ›

Referrals Boost Application Visibility

Well, there is no guarantee. However, 88% of employers rate employee referral programs as the best source of applicants. And referred candidates are more likely to join the job than candidates hired from other sources.

Why do people give referrals? ›

Here are the most common reasons they shared for why they make referrals: Generosity — the most common response is wanting to give to others. Utility — helping to solve someone's problem creates a feeling of usefulness. Efficiency — this is a double whammy.

What is the point of referral? ›

the act of directing someone to a different place or person for information, help, or action, often to a person or group with more knowledge or power: The doctor gave him a referral to (= arranged for him to see) the consultant. Medical treatment: treating & caring for people.

How does a referral affect you? ›

A referral typically entails your school keeping a record of the incident leading to some form of discipline or intervention. Whether it goes on your "permanent record" depends on your school's policies, and it is best to check with your school counselor or administrator for clarification.

Do they call your parents when you get a referral? ›

Once you have submitted the referral to the appropriate school personnel, the next step is for the school to formally notify parents/guardians and obtain parental/guardian consent.

What causes referral? ›

The reason(s) for the patient requiring involvement with care professionals. These may include any problem, issue or event affecting the patient's health and/ or well being. The information held within this data item must be a valid clinical code or term.

Who should you ask for a referral? ›

The first decision you'll need to make is who you should ask for a referral. This could mean asking someone you know, like an existing client, a former employer, or even a friend. You could also ask someone in your extended network who you don't know very well (or at all), like the hiring manager for a role.

Who is a referral person? ›

Referral: The act or process of transferring something to another, of sending by reference, or referring. Referrer (Brand Advocate/ Ambassador): a person who makes a referral/refers another (their friends, family and acquaintances). Referee (Friend): a person who is invited to a referral/ referred by another.

Can referral get me a job? ›

It may be disheartening to check job boards, apply, and then never hear back. To beat this cycle, it's best to use some different techniques to find employment, such as asking for a job referral. Statistics show that job referrals can be a great way to get hired, as most companies hire nearly 30 percent of referrals.

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