Basically, yes. Through self-referral, you are not obliged to see a physician or practice nurse before making an appointment with an audiologist. The majority, if not all, third party payers will need a referral, even though neither state licensure nor an audiologist’s ethics necessitate one. It is best to confirm the details of the referral with the specific payer. Payers, however, are generally reasonable and permit a broad recommendation, as is the case with Medicare. Medicare accepts written correspondence signed by the treating practitioner or his or her office, phone calls from the practitioner or his or her office, or emails from the practitioner or his or her office (section 80.6.1 of Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual).