Most health plans require your Primary Care Provider (PCP) to refer you to specialists or facilities for certain services within your network. To avoid having your insurance company deny benefits, call your PCP's office for a referral before obtaining medical care elsewhere unless you believe you have a life threatening emergency.
When you need a referral, allow 7-10 business days for your PCP to process the necessary paperwork. As always, you should check with your insurance company to determine what your benefits are. Referrals do not guarantee payment.