As discussed earlier, just over half of CSHCN need care from specialists, which may require referrals from a primary care provider. Parents who reported that their children needed a referral in order to see another doctor or receive services—33 percent of CSHCN—were asked how much of a problem it was over the past 12 months to get such a referral for their children.
Of those who needed a referral, 21 percent reported having a problem receiving this referral. Reported problems obtaining referrals were most common among uninsured children: 39 percent of uninsured children who needed referrals had difficulty receiving them, compared to 23 percent of CSHCN with public insurance and CSHCN with both private and public insurance, and 19 percent of children with private insurance.
