Loterre: SAGE: referral

social science subjects > health and social care > health care management > legal and regulatory issues > referral

... > health and social care > health care quality, access, and evaluation > delivery of health care > secondary care > referral

... > health service administration > patient care management > delivery of health care > secondary care > referral

... > organization and administration > professional practice > referral and consultation > secondary care > referral

referral

Originally an informal method by which patients in need of specialized care were sent to a more advanced practitioner by their personal physician, today referral indicates a technique by which managed care plans seek to control the use of medical services by their members. Many plans require that to obtain any care except that provided by a patient's primary care physician (PCP), the patient must obtain a written referral from that physician (who is sometimes called a gatekeeper). [Source: Health Care Policy and Politics A to Z; Referral]

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