Referrals

Occasionally, your child needs a referral to another specialist. Many insurance companies dictate a very specific way that this needs to be done (including HMO's and Medicaid). It is most important that you should contact our office BEFORE you see another specialist. We are under legal obligation to your insurance company to get authorization from the insurance company before we send patients to another specialist. This process usually takes 3 to 5 business days to complete. When your pediatrician believes your child needs another specialist's evaluation:

Your physician will provide you with a copy of our referral sheet stating your child's problem. Our referral coordinator will call you with the name and number of the doctor your child will see.

Call the specialist or group and make an appointment. Identify your insurance plan and confirm that the doctor is on your plan (as doctors sometimes change plans).

Call our office back with the name of the specific doctor with whom your child has an appointment. We will also need the date of the appointment and fax number if they need information sent to their office before you are seen.

Again, please make sure we have at least 3 to 5 business days for the completion of your referral. Remember, referrals can not be completed "after the fact." In other words, do not make an appointment with a specialist and then call us for a referral.

If you have any questions, our referral coordinators are available during business hours at each office.

If your child should have to go to the emergency room or urgent care facility, please contact our office within 24 hours so that we may process your child's visit through our referral system for insurance purposes.