When You Need a Specialist

Our goal is to provide you with complete care, which also means supporting your primary care physician with a wide range of services and specialists for the best treatment possible.

If you need to see a specialist, please speak with your primary care doctor first. The physicians at Harvard Vanguard have a preferred group of specialists they work with, and they refer within these established relationships to provide you with the most complete and coordinated care possible. By seeing a specialist with whom we have a strong relationship, your primary care doctor – and you – can be assured that your care will be seamless and a full view of your medical information will be available to your primary care doctor. The need for a different opinion is best explored with your physician in a discussion about your individual needs and concerns. You may also be limited in your options by the restrictions of your health insurance plan.

The exception to this is your choice of an obstetrician. By law in Massachusetts, women do not need a referral to select an obstetrician. Harvard Vanguard offers a wide range of obstetric care, including at many locations certified nurse-midwives who work collaboratively with the obstetricians.

The questions and answers in this section will better explain how your medical team handles referrals to support your care.