With our improved referral process beginning on January 1, 2007, we encourage providers to use our Coordination of Care Form. Our process begins with the primary care provider’s (PCP) office contacting the specialist’s office for a referral and setting up the member’s appointment. The PCP will then be responsible for documenting the referral and the reason for the referral and the appointment time.

Communication between the PCP and the specialist is important. That’s why we offer the Coordination of Care Form. You can complete this form instead of documenting the information in the progress notes. This form simplifies the documentation process by outlining the important areas that need to be addressed in the referral process. These areas include the following:

• reasons for the referral
• services requested from the specialist
• current relevant information such as lab/test results
• physician notes
• what type of response the PCP is requesting from the specialist

This form should be completed and faxed to the appropriate physicians and kept with the patient’s medical record. If you have any questions, please contact the Care Management Department at (816) 271-4019.