How HMO Works: The Referral Process

For members of BCBSOK BlueLincs HMO^SM

Referrals are an important part of saving money when you have an HMO. You’ll want to know when you need a referral and how to use your HMO benefits.

When you sign up for a BlueLincs HMO^SM, your first step is to pick a primary care physician (PCP) to manage your care. You may already have a PCP, such as your family doctor. A child’s pediatrician and a woman’s OB/Gyn  can also act as their PCP.

Your PCP will make sure you get the care you need, even when you see another doctor or go to the hospital. When you have a health issue, you’ll first go to your PCP. If the PCP thinks you need to see a specialist, they’ll arrange it for you by getting a referral.

The PCP will:

• refer you to a specialist in your HMO plan’s provider network
• work with your insurer to get a referral approved
• monitor what is diagnosed and what care you get from the specialist
• turn in any additional referrals needed, such as for other specialists, lab work or hospital stays.

Three quick things you’ll want to make sure happen:

• Don’t go without an approved referral. All specialist visits require your PCP to work with your insurer for a referral.
• The referral has to be for a specialist in the BlueLincs HMO network, so be sure to ask when the specialist’s office calls to arrange your visit.
• The referral says that your HMO plans cover some or all the costs for covered services. If the specialist plans a lot of tests or procedures, ask if they have checked to make sure all are covered. They may need a new referral for tests that weren’t included in the first one.

If you are getting ongoing treatment for a health issue, ask your PCP about a standing referral. Your standing referral from your PCP will allow you to see your specialist without needing a new one for each visit. 

It’s your right to ask questions to make sure your doctors are using your HMO the right way. If you don’t have a referral or if you have tests that aren’t a covered benefit, your HMO may not cover the costs for you.

You can get more information about your HMO health plan at any time. Just log in or register for your member account, Blue Access for Members^SM. Visit the My Coverage tab to verify your coverage and identify your medical group and PCP. 

Disclaimer: The information provided in this document is based on current information, should not be considered comprehensive and should not be relied upon for benefit decisions. It should not be considered legal or tax advice.

Originally published August 19, 2015; Revised 2020