Referrals

To make an appointment at Erasmus MC, you need a referral from your general practitioner or another medical specialist.

You need a referral to schedule an appointment at Erasmus MC. Your general practitioner or another medical specialist can provide you with a referral. The referral can be in paper form or a digital referral.

Without a referral, your treatment will not be reimbursed, and you will have to pay the healthcare costs yourself. Emergency care is an exception, and a referral is not required for it.

From referral to appointment

Your referring doctor usually sends the referral directly to the hospital. Afterwards, you will receive information about your appointment via telephone, post or digital means. For more information on scheduling an appointment, please visit the "Your appointment at Erasmus MC" page.

Questions

If you are unsure whether the hospital has received your referral letter, you can check by calling the outpatient clinic or by checking your account on "My Erasmus MC".

For other questions regarding your referral, please contact your health insurance provider.

About

Who can refer to Erasmus MC?

Referrals are usually provided by your general practitioner, but sometimes they can also come from other medical specialists. The kind of doctor who can give you a referral to go to Erasmus MC might be different depending on what kind of health insurance you have. But, your general practitioner can always give you a referral.

If you have any questions regarding your referral, please contact your health insurance provider.

How long is a referral valid for?

A referral is valid for a maximum of one year from the date of issue for making the first appointment. For follow-up appointments for the same healthcare question, you no longer need a referral. This also applies if you return for a check-up after more than a year.

When do I need a new referral?

You need a new referral in two cases:

For a new healthcare question
If you need to go to the hospital for a new health concern while you are already receiving treatment there, you will need a new referral from your doctor.
At the end of treatment
Your medical record will be closed (end of treatment) if no follow-up appointment is needed. If you wish to return to your treating physician after the closure of your medical record, you will need a new referral.

Can I receive treatment without a referral?

Without a referral, you will have to pay for the healthcare costs yourself.

If you want to receive treatment without a valid referral, you can request a quote. You will pay the total expected costs before the examination or treatment starts. The actual cost of the healthcare you receive will determine whether this amount becomes higher or lower.

On the page 'list prices', you will find an overview of the prices for various treatments.

My doctor won’t give me a referral

A general practitioner, specialist, or other healthcare provider may refuse to give you a referral. The doctor must explain clearly why they will not provide a referral letter.

If you disagree with the decision, contact your health insurance company. The health insurance company can discuss the matter with you and your healthcare provider.