? about referral

b_cole6

I got a referral to see an OB off post but I'm disappointed with him and want to switch to a different doctor. Will they let me do this or am I stuck with this schmuck?

bootsie08

You should be able to change.  Look on your referral letter.  It should say something along the lines of "this authorization covers services when performed by any provider".  I changed before and just had to make sure the new doctor was a network provider and that the appointment was covered within the dates of the referral letter.  I did call Tricare, though, to tell them just to be safe. 

Tricare may not pay for your new provider to perform tests that your previous provider already did.  Since most OB's like to get their own baseline bloodwork, U/S's etc., I would definitely call Tricare and find out how to proceed. 

Mrs S 08

I had this problem and I just found out Tricare approved my referral for my new OB. From what my OB said with the approval they get it says what they give approval for. So my doctor knows they can give me X number of ultrasounds, X number of bloodwork/labs. Although, more can be approved the OB just has to submit it to Tricare.

b_cole6

bootsie08:

You should be able to change.  Look on your referral letter.  It should say something along the lines of "this authorization covers services when performed by any provider".  I changed before and just had to make sure the new doctor was a network provider and that the appointment was covered within the dates of the referral letter.  I did call Tricare, though, to tell them just to be safe. 

Tricare may not pay for your new provider to perform tests that your previous provider already did.  Since most OB's like to get their own baseline bloodwork, U/S's etc., I would definitely call Tricare and find out how to proceed. 

 

I didn't get a referral letter the OB case manager on post all she did was give me a referral number and let me pick what doctor. Should I just call the new doctor I want then and give them the referral number?

ksnyder06

b_cole6:

bootsie08:

You should be able to change.  Look on your referral letter.  It should say something along the lines of "this authorization covers services when performed by any provider".  I changed before and just had to make sure the new doctor was a network provider and that the appointment was covered within the dates of the referral letter.  I did call Tricare, though, to tell them just to be safe. 

Tricare may not pay for your new provider to perform tests that your previous provider already did.  Since most OB's like to get their own baseline bloodwork, U/S's etc., I would definitely call Tricare and find out how to proceed. 

 

I didn't get a referral letter the OB case manager on post all she did was give me a referral number and let me pick what doctor. Should I just call the new doctor I want then and give them the referral number?

If you're unsure about how the referral works I'd call the base clinic and speak to someone in the referral department. That way you make sure you're doing exactly what you're supposed to in this situation. I've never had to switch doctors so I can't say for certain that it'd work if you gave them the same referral number as the last doctor.