What’s the difference between a referral and an authorization?
A referral is an approval from your PCP to receive care provided by a specialist. To determine if your plan requires referrals for visits to specialists, please visit Plans & Services, and read the information about your plan. An authorization is an approval for coverage from BCBSRI. Some plans require that you obtain an authorization before receiving certain services, and some only recommend that you obtain one. To determine whether an authorization is recommended or required under your plan, please visit Plans & Services, and read the information about your plan. To access a list of services for which an authorization is recommended or required, please refer to your benefit summary.
