Southern Health changes referrals

In response to a “tremendous amount of confusion,” Southern Health Services Inc. — which administers U.Va.’s Health Plan — has announced that it has dropped its new written-referral policy and reverted back to the telephone referral system that was in place before Oct. 8.

In a letter to health plan participants, Southern Health chief operating officer Jennifer Adkins said the paper referrals from primary care providers to allow their patients to see specialists would no longer be necessary after March 15. However, the PCP must request a telephone referral at least 48 hours before the expected specialist visit, and it is the patient’s responsibility to make sure the referral is in place before visiting the specialist, Adkins wrote.

For information, call Southern Health’s customer service line at (888) 975-9557 on weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.