---
title: "Referrals at Sutter Health"
description: "Connect with a Sutter specialist. Contact the Sutter Health Referral Navigation team for help with self-referrals or asking your doctor to refer you to Sutter."
url: "https://www.sutterhealth.org/referrals"
---

1.  [Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/) /
2.  Referrals

![doctor-with-patients](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/doctor-with-patients1.png?h=1300&iar=0&w=2000)

# Referrals for specialty care

![doctor-with-patients](https://edge.sitecorecloud.io/sutterhealt962c-sutterhealt8fce-production57cc-4860/media/Project/SutterHealth/SutterHealth/Images/medical-doctors/doctor-with-patients1.png?h=1300&iar=0&w=2000)

## Choose an option to request a referral

Your doctor or the Sutter Health Referral Navigation team can connect you to care.

### Contact your primary care provider

Schedule a visit with your primary doctor to discuss your care. If you need a specialist, your provider will submit a referral.

[Sign in to My Health Online](https://myhealthonline.sutterhealth.org/mho/Authentication/Login)

[Find a new provider](https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-provider-results)

### Reach out to our referral team

Call or chat with a member of our team to begin the request process or check on an existing referral.

Call [888-834-1788](tel:18888341788)

## What’s next?

###  1

After your initial call or chat, we’ll call you within 24 hours to complete your request.

###  2

Your referral may need review by a specialist. This typically takes 3-5 days.

###  3

If the referral is approved, we’ll call to help book your specialty visit.

## Frequently asked questions

**Do I need a referral to schedule with a specialist?**

At Sutter, we accept self-referrals from patients. Our process helps make sure you’re seeing the right specialist.

**How do I know if my insurance will cover the specialist I want to see?**

The Referral Navigation Team will help you find a specialist who is in your insurance network.

**How do I begin the referral process? How can my doctor submit a referral?**

You can begin the self-referral process by chatting with us, calling [888-834-1788](tel:18888341788), or your doctor can submit a referral through our [Provider Referrals page](https://www.sutterhealth.org/healthcare-professionals/refer-to-sutter-referral-navigation).

**What is the turn-around time for my referral to be processed?**

Our team should call you within 24 hours of receipt of your referral.

**How will I know if my referral has been accepted and approved for scheduling?**

Many of our specialties don’t require review. However, to make sure you’re seen by the right specialist, some specialties do require a review by a clinician, which can take up to 72 hours.

**Do I have to be a Sutter patient to be seen by a Sutter specialist?**

No, you don’t have to be a Sutter patient to see our specialists, as long as your insurance allows it.

**Can I get a paper copy of my referral?**

We don’t provide paper copies of referrals but you can access them through [My Health Online](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en). Don’t have an account? [Sign up now.](https://www.sutterhealth.org/patient-resources/my-health-online/enroll?sc_site=SutterHealth&sc_lang=en)

## Are you a provider who needs to make a referral?

[Sutter referral navigation](https://www.sutterhealth.org/healthcare-professionals/refer-to-sutter-referral-navigation)

[Sutter Care at Home](https://www.sutterhealth.org/healthcare-professionals/how-to-refer-scah)

[Virtual pharmacy](https://www.sutterhealth.org/healthcare-professionals/how-to-refer-vpacc)

#### Disclaimer

_All doctors who receive referrals from Sutter Health Referral Navigation are affiliated with Sutter's system of care — members of the medical staff of Sutter-affiliated hospitals, affiliated medical groups, and independent practice associations that participate in clinical initiatives. Doctors do not pay a fee to be included in this referral service. If a physician ceases to fall within one of the categories noted, he/she would no longer be included in the Sutter Health Referral Navigation Service. Referrals are reviewed under initial criteria such as insurance product restrictions, geographic proximity, capacity, equipment needed and first available appointment. Sutter Health Referral Navigation also applies patient preference criteria (for example, male, female, age, language, proximity to public transportation etc.)._

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