Referrals tend to stall over small gaps: an insurance detail nobody wrote down, a person who did not know a call was coming, or a fax that never said why care is needed. Here is what to gather before you contact Hope Health Network, what federal privacy rules say about the records you send, and what to expect once the referral is in.
Three ways to send a referral
Call and ask for referral intake, fax referral documentation, or use the online form on our referral page. The form gathers contact and routing details only, so send clinical notes by fax.
What to gather first
- The person's agreement. The online form asks you to confirm that the patient has agreed to the referral, and the first call goes more smoothly when the person is expecting it.
- A full name and the best way to reach the person.
- Their insurance, or a note that they have none.
- One or two sentences on why you are referring.
- Any clinical notes that matter, sent by fax rather than through the form.
A faxed referral should include the patient's name, insurance, the reason for referral and any relevant clinical notes.
Records and permission
When the referral comes from a health care provider, the HIPAA rule at 45 CFR 164.506 allows that provider to share health information with another provider for the other provider's treatment of the patient, without a separate authorization. Records from a federally assisted substance use treatment program carry an extra layer: 42 CFR Part 2 generally calls for the patient's written consent, and 42 CFR 2.31 lists what the consent must contain, such as who may receive the records, the purpose, the right to revoke in writing and an expiration date or event.
Staff who are not health care providers, such as caseworkers, shelter staff or congregation volunteers, can help the person call us or make the call with the person's agreement.
Need to Refer a Patient?
One phone call routes to the right practice.
Where the referral goes
You do not need to choose a practice; we route each referral to the right one.
- Hope Medical Associates provides primary care, including care for diabetes, hypertension and COPD, the Medicare yearly wellness visit, and help establishing a primary care provider after a hospital stay.
- Hope Behavioral Medicine provides psychiatric medication management and counseling for adults with anxiety, depression, ADHD, insomnia, PTSD, OCD, bipolar disorder and postpartum depression, in person in West Ashley and by video.
- Hope Addiction Medicine provides medication-assisted treatment for opioid and alcohol use disorders. Treatment typically begins with an in-person assessment, followed by weekly in-person or virtual visits before moving to a monthly schedule, and each plan is tailored to the patient.
- Hope Integrative Medicine offers primary care, mental health and addiction medicine with one coordinating team, for patients who want all their care coordinated.
After you send it
We typically contact the patient within two business days of a faxed referral, and initial evaluations are often able to be scheduled within a week of the request. If the patient needs to be seen sooner, call us.
Our practices accept Medicare, most major commercial plans, and all South Carolina Medicaid managed care plans except Select Health (First Choice). Self-pay rates are also available.
How to refer
The referral line, the fax number and the secure form are on our referral page. Our referral questions page covers what people ask most, and our overview of how the four practices work as one team describes the care team.
Our practices are not an emergency service, and the referral form is not monitored for emergencies. For someone in crisis, call or text 988, and in immediate danger, call 911.
This article explains these rules in general terms. It is not legal advice.
Sources: 45 CFR 164.506, uses and disclosures for treatment, payment and health care operations; 42 CFR 2.31, consent requirements.
This article is general information, not medical advice, and does not create a patient–provider relationship. Every situation is different, so see a provider who can evaluate yours and develop a plan of care. Any medication discussed here may not be right for you: the right choice depends on your diagnoses, other health conditions and current medicines, so take medication only as directed by the provider managing your care. If you are ever in doubt about an emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
Frequently Asked Questions
Call the referral line listed at hopehealthnetwork.com/refer and ask for referral intake, fax the referral, or use the secure online form on the referral page. The form gathers contact and routing details only, so clinical notes go by fax.
A faxed referral should include the patient's name, insurance, the reason for referral and any relevant clinical notes.
You do not need to choose a practice; we route each referral to the right one.
Under 45 CFR 164.506, a provider may share health information with another provider for that provider's treatment of the patient without a separate authorization. Records covered by 42 CFR Part 2 generally need the patient's written consent.
We typically contact the patient within two business days of a faxed referral, and initial evaluations are often able to be scheduled within a week of the request. If the patient needs to be seen sooner, call us.