What is a referral?
Short answer
A referral is a request from one clinician, usually your primary care provider or GP, for you to see a specialist or get a particular service. For adult ADHD it often means being sent to a psychiatrist, psychologist, or specialist ADHD service. Some US health plans require one before they pay, and in the NHS a GP referral is the normal route.
The word comes up early for anyone looking into an adult ADHD evaluation. A doctor says "I will refer you," or an insurer says "you need a referral," and it is not always clear what has actually happened or what to do next. Here is what a referral is, how it works in the two systems this site most often covers, and how to keep one moving.
The basic idea
What a referral usually contains
Formats vary, but a referral letter or electronic request generally includes:
- Your name, contact details, and basic health information.
- The reason for the referral, such as "possible adult ADHD, please assess."
- A short summary of what the referring clinician has heard or seen.
- Relevant history, current medicines, and any other conditions.
- Sometimes, questionnaires or screening results you completed.
You can ask what the letter says. It is reasonable to want the specialist to receive a clear picture of why you are being sent.
Referrals in US health plans
- HMO-type plans often require a referral for specialist visits, including mental health.
- Other plan types may let you book a specialist directly but still pay more outside the network.
- A referral is not the same as prior approval. Some services need both.
- Referrals can expire or cover a set number of visits, so check the terms.
Referrals in the NHS
After the referral is sent
- Ask who the referral went to and how you will be contacted.
- Note the date it was sent.
- If you hear nothing after a reasonable time, call the receiving service to check it arrived.
- Tell the GP or primary care office if your contact details change.
- Keep any letters or reference numbers together in one place.
Referrals sometimes go astray between offices. A polite check-in call is not pestering; it is often the step that gets things moving.
Using the waiting time well
Once a referral is in, the next appointment may be some way off. That gap is a good time to gather school reports, write down examples from daily life, and ask a family member about your childhood. Arriving with that groundwork done means the specialist can spend more of the visit on the questions that matter, rather than on filling in basic history.
If your circumstances change while you wait, for example a new job, a move, or a change in your health, let the receiving service know. It may affect how they plan your appointment.
A starting point for your next step.
Waiting on a referral? The free ASRS screener takes a few minutes and gives you something concrete to share at the first specialist visit.Frequently asked questions
Can I refer myself for an adult ADHD assessment?
It depends on the system. Some US clinics accept self-referrals, though your plan may still require a primary care referral to pay. In the NHS, adult ADHD assessments usually go through a GP referral.
Does a referral mean my doctor thinks I have ADHD?
No. It means they think a specialist should look at the question. Referrals are a request for an expert opinion, not a conclusion.
Can a referral be refused?
A clinician may decide a referral is not appropriate, or a service may decline one. If that happens, ask for the reasons and what other options exist.
Sources
Source check: 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.
- HealthCare.gov glossary, "Referral"
- National Institute of Mental Health, "Help for Mental Illnesses"
- NHS, Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults
- NHS 111 Wales, Health A-Z, "Second opinion"
- NHS website (nhs.uk), "Your choices in the NHS"
Published 2026-10-28. Factual source check: ADHDFalcon editorial team, factual source check, 2026-10-28. No medical review has occurred.