# Blue Cross Referral Rules

- PPO plans do not usually require a PCP referral for orthopedic consults.
- Some employer groups still require a referral number for specialist scheduling.
- If a referral exists but is pending, staff should verify status before confirming downstream imaging or surgery appointments.
- Pending referrals should be routed to the care-team intake queue or auth-review queue depending on whether authorization is also required.