R.S. then completes a referral form which is specific to that insurance company. Information needed usually includes the date, patient's name, social security number, insurance information, provider name, provider I.D. number, name of physician being referred to with address, phone number, specialty, any limitation on the referral such as number of visits, duration referral is good for, procedures that are authorized, comments on the diagnosis with appropriate diagnostic ICD codes. The completed referral form with the patient chart is then sent back to the physician. The physician reviews the referral form to make sure that the information entered by RS is correct. Changes are made if necessary.
Physician then signs referral form.
If necessary, physician or nurse will make copies of pertinent records or laboratory reports to be sent with referral form to patient. The signed referral form along with patient chart is then brought back to RS by the nurse. RS then makes two additional copies of the referral form. One is sent to the patient. The other sent to the specialist.