[Avista]

Originally Posted by Villages PL

I'm not sure I understand. By "referral" do you mean "permission" to see a specialist? Any specialist you choose? Or do you mean permission to see only one in-network specialist?

If it's a certain in-network specialist, that makes sense to me because The Villages Health HMO has stated that their goal is to cut down on unnecessary expensive testing. Referring you to an in-network specialist gives them the control they need to do that.

Doctors in the network will share computer records and that will be part of that effort.

it would be an in-network specialist -- not necessarily part of Villages Health Care.