Which type of referral allows a provider to manage follow-up care?

Consultative referrals are designed for situations where a referring provider seeks the expertise of a specialist to evaluate a patient, usually with the expectation that the specialist will provide recommendations for follow-up care. In this type of referral, the primary care provider continues to manage the patient's overall care, including any follow-ups based on the specialist’s recommendations. This collaboration ensures comprehensive care, with the primary provider integrating the findings of the specialist into the ongoing treatment plan for the patient.

The other types of referrals do not offer the same level of management by the provider over follow-up care. General referrals typically direct patients to another provider without a specific focus on follow-up responsibilities. Emergency referrals usually address immediate and urgent care needs without planned follow-up by the referring provider. Direct referrals facilitate immediate access to a specialist but do not imply ongoing management of care by the provider after the referral is made. Thus, consultative referrals clearly stand out as the type most suited for allowing a provider to manage follow-up care effectively.