How will patients get referrals?
Patients will be referred for specialist care from their primary care home (see #15). Primary care practitioners or specialists may refer PA patients for hospitalization, for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, or emergency department services. Specialty consultations will be scheduled via the PA central office, which will select consultants in rotation from the list of those participating. Each referral to a specialist consultant will authorize service for up to a 3-month period of time. Care beyond that period of time will require a new referral. Patients will present their PA cards at the time of presenting for service.
