Which action should you take if a referral does not lead to a scheduled appointment?

Notifying the referring provider is the appropriate action if a referral does not lead to a scheduled appointment because the referring provider is responsible for tracking the patient’s care and treatment. By informing them of the situation, the provider can follow up with the patient or take additional steps to ensure that the referral is completed successfully. This communication reinforces the collaborative approach in patient care and ensures that all parties involved are aware of the patient's status.

In this scenario, documenting the attempt in the system may be important for keeping accurate records, but it does not actively address the situation with the patient or the referring provider. Informing the patient directly about the referral's outcome is crucial, but the primary responsibility lies with the referring provider to facilitate the next steps in care. Notifying the insurance company is typically unnecessary at this stage, as the appointment scheduling issue primarily concerns communication between the patient and healthcare providers.