Understanding Our Referral Process

Contact: 360-754-6367 Ext 149

At Tumwater Family Practice Clinic, we want to make sure you get the care you need, whether it's here at our clinic or with a trusted specialist. Here's what to expect when your provider places an outgoing referral:

1. Provider Recommendation
Your provider may recommend a specialist, imaging, or another type of care based on your medical needs. The referral will be entered into our system the same day as your visit.

2. Insurance and Supporting Documentation Review
Our referral coordinators will review your insurance plan requirements and gather any documentation needed for the referral, such as recent chart notes, test results, or imaging reports. Some insurance plans require prior authorization before you can be scheduled with the specialist. This review process can take 3-10 business days, depending on how quickly the insurance company responds and what documentation is required.

3. Scheduling with the Specialist
Once authorization is approved (if required), we'll send your referral and supporting records to the specialist's office. -Some specialists call patients directly to schedule. -In other cases, we'll provide you with their contact information so you can call to set up your appointment.

4. Follow-Up
If you haven't heard from the specialist's office within two weeks, please contact our their office to follow up.

5. After Your Visit
After your specialist visit, their office will send a report back to your Tumwater Family Practice provider to ensure your care stays coordinated and up-to-date.