As a healthcare provider, you need to know the purpose of referrals and authorizations and the difference between the two.

Use your textbook, the Internet, or other resources to research referrals. Then write a 1-2 page paper defining a physician referral and an insurance authorization. Include the following:

• The difference between a consultation and a referral
• The information that is included in a referral form
• The difference between an insurance authorization and an insurance verification
• The difference between a preauthorization and precertification