What is a key requirement for insurance referrals?

Insurance referrals are typically associated with the need for a patient to see a specialist or receive certain services that are not covered under their primary care provider without prior authorization. A key requirement in this context is that referrals are not tied to appointment requests directly; rather, they serve as a prerequisite for a patient to receive specialist care.

When a referral is established, it usually signifies that a patient's primary care provider has determined that a specific specialist's expertise is needed for further evaluation or treatment. The focus of the referral process is to ensure that the insurance provider will cover the costs associated with the specialist consultation, rather than to book an appointment immediately, which is why option B is correct.

The other choices incorrectly describe the referral process. Submitting referrals via phone call is not a key requirement, as most referrals can be submitted electronically. Referrals are also not limited to emergency situations; they are applicable in various scenarios where specialty care is required. Finally, the use of referrals is not meant specifically to schedule same-day appointments but to authorize care which may happen at a later date. Thus, the essence of referrals focuses on pre-authorization rather than direct appointment scheduling.