self-refer

verb

self-re·​fer ˌself-ri-ˈfər 

self-referred; self-referring; self-refers

intransitive verb

1

: to refer oneself to a health care provider (such as a physician)

students self-referring to mental health professionals

health plans that allow patients to self-refer

2

of a physician : to refer a patient to a specialized medical facility (such as a medical imaging center) in which the referring physician has a financial interest

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined at sense 1