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Working in an Internal Medicine office we are capable of treating
many dermatologic conditions, but patients insist that only the
dermatologist can treat their acne or dermatitis etc.
"I have seen derm for years and I want a referral!" When explained
to patients that Internal Medicine involves diagnosis and treatment of
many diseases of the skin, they are not satisfied and contact their
insurance company. In return the insurance company approves the referral
to a specialist.
So I can see why there are differences in referral rates by different
practitioners. If a referral is not warranted by your professional
judgement it may be overturned by the "customer service department" from
the patient's insurance company. We have even been told by a large HMO in
our area...
"We don't want to upset any patient and appear on the local news for
not giving them what they want, so if they request a referral we give it
to them!"
referrals from the primary care practitioner
Working in an Internal Medicine office we are capable of treating
many dermatologic conditions, but patients insist that only the
dermatologist can treat their acne or dermatitis etc.
"I have seen derm for years and I want a referral!" When explained
to patients that Internal Medicine involves diagnosis and treatment of
many diseases of the skin, they are not satisfied and contact their
insurance company. In return the insurance company approves the referral
to a specialist.
So I can see why there are differences in referral rates by different
practitioners. If a referral is not warranted by your professional
judgement it may be overturned by the "customer service department" from
the patient's insurance company. We have even been told by a large HMO in
our area...
"We don't want to upset any patient and appear on the local news for
not giving them what they want, so if they request a referral we give it
to them!"
Competing interests:
None declared
Competing interests: No competing interests