Do I Need a Referral to See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Struggling to get out of bed in the morning? Does that nagging knee injury hurt a little too much? There are many reasons you might find yourself in the waiting room of an orthopedic surgeon, but the one question we receive frequently at CORE Orthopedics is about referrals.

Do you need a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon? Before wasting time and money, find out what you need for an appointment.

Do I Need a Referral to See an Orthopedic Surgeon?

More than likely you will not, but it depends on the type of insurance you have. 

For Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) or Medicare, you have the flexibility to visit any doctor you want within the network without a referral. This will save you time and money, possibly avoiding additional co-pays and deductibles. 

If you don’t have a PPO, you may have a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). HMOs typically require a referral to see an orthopedic surgeon from their Primary Care Physician. 

Check with your insurance if you will need to visit your primary care physician before scheduling an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon.

The way you can tell what kind of insurance you have is by either visiting your healthcare provider’s website, checking your insurance card, or calling your company’s insurance representative.

Need to speak with an orthopedic specialist? Call us now.

Whether you have a referral, don’t need a referral, or just have a question, give us a call at CORE Orthopedics: 847-690-1776. Our individualized approach to patient care will get you back to doing the activities you love sooner.