Which type of referral would require a patient to see a specialist?

A written recommendation typically indicates that a primary care provider has determined a patient requires more specialized care for their condition. This type of referral is a formal request for the patient to consult with a specialist who has more advanced training or equipment to diagnose or treat specific issues that the primary doctor cannot address comprehensively.

In contrast, healthcare policy documents, external medical reviews, and insurance benefit summaries do not serve the purpose of initiating or facilitating a specialist consultation directly. Policy documents may outline coverage details or procedures, external medical reviews provide assessments but don't necessarily refer patients, and insurance benefit summaries inform patients about what is covered under their insurance plan without indicating a specific need for specialist care.