Medical Recommendations

Medical recommendations or referrals allow you to meet with a qualified medical specialist who can provide more personalized health care. At Twin Ports Telemedicine based in Duluth, Minnesota, board-certified advanced family nurse practitioner Nikki Shockley, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, provides medical recommendations via telehealth and home visits. If you have a chronic health problem like diabetes and want to work with an endocrinologist, Nikki can provide a referral and help coordinate your care. The same goes for any other medical specialist. Call Twin Ports Telemedicine today to schedule a medical recommendation appointment, or book your visit online.

Are medical recommendations and referrals the same?

Yes. Medical recommendations and referrals are the same thing — written orders from your primary care provider to see specialists for specific health problems and/or services.

Scheduling an appointment with Nikki just to get permission to see a medical specialist might seem like a hassle, but most health insurance providers require this necessary step. If you don’t get a medical referral before seeing a specialist, you might have to pay for the services out of pocket, which can be very expensive.

Requesting a medical recommendation ensures that you follow proper protocols and prevents unwanted financial surprises.

What is the process for getting medical recommendations?

If you think you might need a medical recommendation from Nikki, schedule a telehealth or home visit appointment at Twin Ports Telemedicine.

Tell Nikki why you’d like to see a specialist during your appointment. For example, if your family has a history of heart disease, you might want to undergo an echocardiogram to assess your heart’s health and function.

Likewise, if you’re suffering from depression, a referral to a mental health specialist can identify its cause and determine the best treatment.

After Nikki gathers all the necessary information, she looks for a nearby medical specialist with whom she maintains a good working relationship. Once a medical specialist agrees to meet with you, Nikki sends them a referral form.

The referral form includes your relevant medical records, explains the reason for the referral, and spells out Nikki’s treatment recommendations.

Once your referral request is approved, you visit the recommended medical specialist. Afterward, they send Nikki a report that details their diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Nikki coordinates your care and monitors your progress, ensuring that you receive the treatment needed to live a happy, healthy life.

Are all medical recommendations covered by health insurance?

Most health insurance providers cover medical recommendations (specialist referrals), but insurance policies differ.

If you have questions about your health insurance provider’s medical recommendation policy, Nikki recommends contacting them before scheduling an appointment with Twin Ports Telemedicine. Your insurance company will tell you how they handle specialist referrals and explain the charges (co-pays) you can expect.

Call Twin Ports Telemedicine today to schedule a telehealth or home medical recommendations appointment, or book your appointment online.