Referral

A referral is a request from one health professional for another professional or service to assess or manage a patient's health concern. It usually explains why further care is needed and includes relevant clinical information. A referral is not the same as a confirmed appointment or a guarantee of bulk billing. Healthdirect Australia: What is a referral?

Understand the clinical question

Ask why the referral is recommended and what the next service is expected to assess. If you have a preferred provider, discuss that preference and whether it fits the clinical need. The referring clinician decides whether a referral is appropriate.

Check that important information is accurate, including contact details and the reason for referral. If something is wrong, ask the issuing clinic to correct it. Do not edit the document yourself or assume the receiving service will infer missing details.

Booking and costs need separate attention

Ask whether you should contact the receiving service or wait for it to contact you. Confirm fees, waiting times and any documents or tests to bring. A referral may be relevant to Medicare eligibility, but it does not guarantee that every consultation is covered or free. Services Australia: Referrals for specialist treatment

Referral periods depend on the applicable rules and circumstances. For specialist Medicare purposes, the start of the referral period is generally linked to the first specialist attendance, not simply the date the letter was written. Ask the provider to check your situation. Services Australia: Referrals for specialist treatment

Do not wait through deterioration

If symptoms worsen while waiting, seek advice about the changed urgency. A place on a waiting list is not a clinical assessment of every new symptom. Emergency symptoms require emergency care.

Doccio's online doctor consultations can assess whether a referral is appropriate and whether more information is needed. Bring earlier results and specialist letters where relevant. Before finishing, clarify who will arrange the appointment, how the letter will reach the service and who will continue care while you wait.