Northwestern Internists, Ltd., Managed Care

Your primary care physician is able to help you through direct care or to
make appropriate referral to specialists when the circumstances warrant.
Your primary care physician will then refer you to an accessible, high
quality specialist who participates with your plan.

If you have Medicare, commercial insurance or a preferred provider
organization insurance, you will not require written referral to see a
specialist. However, it is advisable to consult with your primary care
physician to provide optimal communication amongst your treating
physicians.

If you have a managed health plan type of coverage (HMO or POS),
you are required to have a written referral to see a specialist. Here are a
few pointers to keep in mind that should maximize your satisfaction:

Please contact your primary care physician prior to making an
appointment for diagnostic testing or specialty physician visits. Many
insurance plans will refuse to authorize payment for referrals made after a
visit.

If a specialist recommends testing or referral to another specialist, you
must contact your primary care physician to obtain a referral prior to
these additional services.

Please allow two business days for the processing of all referrals.
Authorization of surgeries may take slightly longer.

Because of the need to contact specialists and insurers before many
referrals can be authorized, we have full-time staff members dedicated to
assisting our primary care physicians in the facilitation of your referrals.