Q+A on ‘Named’ versus ‘Unnamed’ referrals in the Outpatients Clinic Named versus unnamed referrals to the Outpatients clinic can be a source of contention for GPs. This article will outline why they are asked to do this, and more importantly, whether it can be beneficial for patients. What is the National Health Reform Agreement?
What is a Named vs Unnamed vs No Preference Referral? • Named referral : Directed to a specific specialist, enabling private practice billing via Medicare. • Unnamed referral : No specific specialist; patient is seen by the first available doctor and treated as a public patient, using state funding. • No preference : Defaults to the Head of Department and therefore becomes a named referral. All referral types incur no out-of-pocket costs for patients.
The NHRA is an agreement between federal and state governments outlining how public hospital services are funded—either via state funding or Medicare rebates. If a referral meets NHRA criteria and is named, the patient may be treated privately with Medicare rebates applying. The terminology of “private patient” can be confusing as private versus public patients means something very different to clinicians in the community. In this instance, “private” does not refer to a patient using private health insurance, rather it refers to a patient referred to a specialist exercising their right to private practice and able to bill Medicare for their service.
Named Referral
Unnamed referral
No preference
Can see another neurologist if the one who had planned to see them is sick Can see a relevant neurologist if you inadvertently refer to one who only works in the headache clinic
Can choose to have an MRI done at a private imaging provider
Can choose to have a Holter done with a pathology company
Can have their coagulation screen done at their choice of location
May have out of pocket costs to the patient for consultations/tests that could attract Medicare rebate
Can be prescribed a medication via the neurologist
Requires financial consent to be taken by the hospital prior to billing Medicare
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*All patients have the right to change their mind and confirmation of their pathway is completed with financial election prior to their first appointment. Please note that if a patient with an unnamed referral decides to change their election to “private”, an updated ereferral is required from their GP which may hold up their first appointment.
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GPLink | October 2025
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