How does a referral and an authorization differ (HMO only)?
When your physician cannot provide you the treatment you need, he or she refers you to another in-network UOP physician. The provider must then file a referral; a referral is good for up to six months from the date of issue. An authorization is different from a referral because you must authorize certain medical treatments before you can receive them. An out of network authorization is a request for service that requires proper evaluation by UOP.
