Referrals are a common occurrence when it comes to health in general, across all types, including dental work. This is more commonly connected to an insurance need more often than it’s connected to an orthodontist need. Depending on the situation, the insurance company involved, the treatment being suggested, etc. a referral may be needed. Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of referrals when it comes to orthodontic work.
Do I Need a Referral to See an Orthodontist?
If you’re already seeing a dentist, they may refer you to an orthodontist in order to get specific treatment. However, you definitely don’t have to go with the orthodontist they suggest. Further, if you don’t have a dentist or you think you might need orthodontic work, you don’t need to go to a dentist to get a referral first at all. You can simply set up a consultation with an orthodontist in order to go over a treatment plan if any. An orthodontist office functions much like a dentist’s office as far as appointments and such goes. There’s no special referral needed to consult them or get treatment through them.
Will I Need a Referral for Insurance?
Most insurance companies will not require a referral from a dentist for orthodontic treatment. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your specific insurance company in order to ensure you’re covering their parameters. In general, it’s common for insurance companies to not ask for referrals involving orthodontic treatment. Therefore, it should be a pretty simple question to ask and get answered by your insurance company. This is because the dentist has no special training an orthodontist might not have. This means there doesn’t need to be any “filtering” on the treatment to ensure it’s actually needed.
Can I Get a Referral?
Any patient can get a referral if they desire. Whether it’s for reassurance, just in case, or because they’re unsure of where to go, a referral is never a bad thing. In fact, many dentists are more than happy to suggest an orthodontist they know and trust in order to ensure their patients receive the best care possible for their specific circumstances.
Is There Any Orthodontic Work Where I Will Need a Referral?
As far as everything outside of insurance goes, no, you never need a referral to see an orthodontist for any type of orthodontic work. However, although most insurance companies never require a referral for orthodontic work, there may be some insurance companies, certain treatments, or certain cases that they may require a referral for. An insurance company (rarely) will be the only aspect that might require a referral for certain circumstances.
To sum it all up, you never need a referral unless your insurance company specifically requests one. This may happen under special circumstances. However, in general, referrals are a pointless step and you can skip it altogether if desired.
