Specialist Referral Procedure
SPECIALIST REFERRALS PROCESS
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- PlatComprehensive/PlatCap members need to obtain authorisation from Case Managegment to consult specialists.
- PlatFreedom members do not need authorisation to visit a specialist, however members still need to request authorisation from Case Management for Managed Care Programmes such as Maternity, Oncology, Renal Dialysis etc
SPECIALIST REFERRALS PROCESS FOR PLATCOMPREHENSIVE AND PLATCAP MEMBERS:
FIRST VISIT
Member has to visit GP with a specific condition or problem. The General Practitioner will refer member to a specialist.
The GP issues a request for referral and gives it to the member. PlatComprehensive/Platcap members should use this request to obtain authorisation for the visit from Case Management.
The referral request from the GP should contain the following detail:
- The patient’ name, date of birth, medical scheme number, contact details
- The specialist’s details and practice number
- A detailed clinical referral letter (as well as whether or not the visit is related to an MVA or an IOD.
- The referring GP’s details and practice number
FOLLOW-UP VISIT
Specialists will be required to write a feedback report to the referring GP to ensure that he/she has clarity on the condition/treatment of his/her patients.
The letter requesting the follow-up visit should contain the following details:
- The reason for the follow-up visit or frequency of visits, with a full clinical report on diagnosis and treatment, required from treating specialist.
- The patient’ name, date of birth, medical scheme number, contact details
A copy of the required documentation should be submitted to Case Management for approval prior to the follow-up visit.
Case Management will capture the motivation/diagnosis and issue a follow-up authorisation number to the patient. This number is valid for only the date of treatment.
- Follow-up visits to specialists after hospitalisation/surgery have to be authorised by Case Management.
- On discharge, the specialist will inform the member when follow-up visits are required.
- This is usually two or six weeks after discharge.
- Contact Case Management with this information for approval and an authorisation number
REQUEST AUTHORISATION
EMERGENCY/AFTER-HOURS SPECIALIST REFERRALS
Applicable to PlatComprehensive/PlatCap members:
- Emergency specialist referrals can be arranged telephonically between referring GP and the responsible Case Manager, but the documentation still needs to be finalised afterwards.
- After-hours specialist referrals should be arranged with the Case Manager on call and submitted to Case Management on the first working day after the consultation.
CASE MANAGEMENT CONTACT DETAILS
After-hours and emergencies contact number may not be used for general account and membership queries.
TELEPHONE
014 590 1700 or 080 000 6942
AFTER-HOURS & EMERGENCIES
082 800 8727
Specialist authorisation: plathealth@platinumhealth.co.za
Hospital pre-authorisation and authorisation: hospitalconfirmations@platinumhealth.co.za
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