Referral Request Guidelines

All specialist referral requests will need a consultation with your GP.

Validity of Specialist Referrals:

Duration:

  • Specialist referrals from your GP are valid for 12 months from the date of your first consultation with the specialist.
  • Your GPs can refer beyond 12 months or indefinitely if the patient needs ongoing care.
  • However, a new referral is needed if the patient has a new or unrelated condition while on an indefinite referral.

Ensuring Validity:

  • Before scheduling an appointment with a specialist, confirm that your referral is still within its validity period.
  • If more than 12 months have passed since your initial specialist visit, you’ll need to consult your GP for a new referral.
  • Backdating referrals is illegal, so it’s crucial to have a current referral at the time of your specialist appointment.
  • The referral period starts from the date the specialist first meets the patient, not the date the referral was issued.

Considerations for Specialist Appointments:

Waiting Times:

  • Be aware that wait times for specialist appointments can sometimes exceed 12 months. Your GP may issue a new referral if necessary.

Fee Estimates:

  • It is advisable to enquire about specialist fees before your appointment to avoid unexpected costs.

Maintaining Continuity of Care:

Communication:

  • Ensure that your specialist has all relevant medical information.
  • Your GP’s referral will include pertinent details about your condition, medical history, and any previous treatments, facilitating cohesive care.

FAQs for GP Referrals

No, you don’t need a new referral. A referral is valid for any practitioner addressing the same medical issue outlined in the original referral. However, if you need to update details, you will require a new GP appointment.
A referral is valid for 12 months from the date you first see the specialist, not from when the referral was written. If a new referral is needed, it will require another GP appointment.
If you’ve lost your referral, you can still attend an initial consultation with a specialist by providing the name, practice address, or Medicare provider number of your GP. However, for future visits, you’ll need to request a replacement referral from your GP, which can be done by booking an appointment online.
A GP referral is typically valid for a single course of treatment for 12 months after the first specialist visit. However, the GP can specify a different timeframe (e.g., 3, 6, or 18 months, or indefinite). Remember, the referral validity begins on the date of the first specialist appointment, not when it was written. This is often misunderstood by specialists and their reception staff.

Yes, you can. Referrals do not need to be addressed to a specific named specialist. For example, a referral addressed to “Dear Gastroenterologist” is sufficient for seeing any gastroenterologist and will still be valid for Medicare.

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/what-is-a-referral

https://www.medicalrepublic.com.au/referral-rules-everything-need-know/347 

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