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Refer a Patient

Seattle Children’s offers the most comprehensive specialty and subspecialty care in our region, with clinics and outreach sites throughout Washington, Alaska and Montana.    

We value our partnership with community healthcare providers and the work we do together to provide hope, care and cures to help every child live the healthiest and most fulfilling life possible.

How to Refer a Patient to Seattle Children's

Step 1

Instruct your patient to call for an appointment after the referral has been sent to Seattle Children's.

Step 2

Determine which clinic you are referring your patient to.

Visit our Clinics A–Z page to choose the most appropriate clinic.

If you still have questions, please call our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080 for assistance.

Step 3

Submit a complete referral, including chart notes and any relevant documentation.

If your referral is not complete, your patient’s appointment may be delayed while we contact you for follow-up information. Please be sure to include all relevant documentation as described in the New Appointment Request Form.

Information on uploading medical imaging using PowerShare. You may also mail the disk directly to the specialty clinic or send it with the patient (not preferred).

There are three ways you can refer your patient to Seattle Children's clinics.

    • Fax: Fill out the New Appointment Request Form (PDF) (DOC).
      • Fax the NARF and any additional chart notes or relevant documentation to 206-985-3121 or 866-985-3121 (toll-free).
    • Online: Use EpicCare Link, an alternate online method for submitting referrals and tracking referral status.
    • Phone: Call the Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080, option 1.

Step 4

We will contact you if there is any information missing from your referral. Once your referral is complete and in our system, your patient can schedule their appointment – or, in some cases, we will contact them to schedule it.

Seattle Children's will send you and your patient a written confirmation of the appointment and provider information.

Providers with EpicCare Link access: When logged in, you will receive patient scheduling information including date, time, clinic and provider, as well as cancellation or admission, if applicable.

EpicCare Link

Community providers are able to make referrals and access their patients’ information through EpicCare Link. Once you log into EpicCare Link, you can access the Quick Start Guide.

EpicCare Link: SCCN users + Children’s badge holders

EpicCare Link: All others

Sign up for EpicCare Link

Helpful resources

Services We Provide

Diagnostic Services

We provide a wide range of diagnostic tests designed to meet the special needs of infants, children and teens – from simple blood draws and comprehensive medical imaging to the most complex genetic testing.

Our facilities feature state-of-the-art technologies, including the most advanced diagnostic services available in the region for pediatric patients.

Referral Information by Clinic

Use the links below to find referral information specific to each clinic and resources, including algorithms, to support your management of your patients. All algorithms are compiled on our Algorithms and Other Clinical Care Resources for Referring Providers page. 

If you are unsure which clinic to refer to, contact our Clinical Intake Nurses at 206-987-2080.

FAQs for Referring New Patients

What are my options for referring a patient to Seattle Children's?

There are three ways you can refer your patient to Seattle Children's clinics.

  • Fax: Fill out the New Appointment Request Form (PDF) (DOC).
    • Fax the NARF and any additional chart notes or relevant documentation to 206-985-3121 or 866-985-3121 (toll-free).
  • Online: Use EpicCare Link, an alternate online method for submitting referrals and tracking referral status.
  • Phone: You may also refer by phone at 206-987-2080, option 1.
If I have a patient who needs to be seen urgently, should I call the clinic?

If you have a need for an urgent consultation, call our Provider-to-Provider Line at 206-987-7777 and indicate this is an urgent call. You will be able to speak with the physician on call who will help you with any service needed.

What is the New Appointment Request Form (NARF)?

Download the New Appointment Request Form (PDF) (DOC).

The purpose of this form is to streamline the process of scheduling patients into Seattle Children's specialty clinics and gathering information necessary to schedule the appointment.

Our goal is to maximize the efficiency of scheduling new patient appointments and to coordinate care with primary care and other referring physicians.

We try to do this by gathering the clinical information needed to schedule an appointment promptly and appropriately as early in the referral process as possible.

The NARF also makes it easier for the Seattle Children's scheduler and the family to communicate during the appointment-making process.

Is the NARF for all clinics?

Yes. This form is appropriate to use for all Seattle Children's specialty clinics.

Do I have to use the NARF?

You may use your own office referral form as long as it contains the same information as the NARF. However, we believe that appointments will be scheduled more quickly and with less hassle for your office, your patients and for Children's if this form is used.

Or you may call in the referral to 206-987-2080 or, toll-free, 866-987-2000, ext. 72080.

Do I need to use the NARF to request a return appointment?

No. This form's intent is to streamline the new patient intake and triage. Please continue to call the clinic directly for return appointments. Phone numbers for each service can be found via the links on All Clinics and Programs (A to Z).

Do I still have to fill out a referral (insurance authorization form)?

Yes, for those patients whose healthcare plans require it. Insurance referral authorization is a separate process that requires the use of the individual health care plan's authorization forms, so you will still need to fax those to Seattle Children's Insurance Processing Department's central fax number at 206-987-FAXS (3297).

Should I send other clinical information, such as any relevant clinic notes?

Yes – please see referral information by clinic and fax all needed information along with the NARF. We use that information to help ensure appropriate scheduling, and the schedulers make it available for the patient's visit. It also helps in coordinating care between you and Seattle Children's physicians.

If I have diagnostic imaging, should I send it?

Yes, please send any relevant imaging prior to the patient’s appointment. We encourage you to use PowerShare. An acceptable alternative is to mail a disk directly to the specialty clinic your patient is visiting, or ask your patient to bring the disk with them to their appointment.  

What if I need to refer to multiple clinics for the same patient? Can I list all of the clinics on the same NARF?

You can list all of the clinics on the same NARF. Be sure and include the relevant clinical information for each specialty clinic. Families that have 4+ appointments in 3 months can reach out to our Coordinated Scheduling team at 206-987-7372 or CoordinatedScheduling@seattlechildrens.org.

Can I use the fax number on the NARF for other communications to Seattle Children's?

No. It is a dedicated line and will only go to the scheduling staff.

What can my patients and families expect?

Once we receive the completed referral, the family should call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment. Generally they can call after one business day from the time the referral was sent.

To reach the clinic the family may call Seattle Children's at 206-987-2000, or, toll-free, 866-987-2000, and ask for the specific specialty clinic's scheduling line.

If the family doesn't call after 2 weeks, you will be notified if your patient has not been scheduled.

How can I give input on the NARF?

We are continuously evaluating and seeking to improve the NARF. Please send your comments and suggestions to Meagan Solis.

How do I get more copies of the NARF?

You can download the NARF (PDFDOC) or duplicate the form yourself in your office. If you would like us to fax a blank copy to you, please call our Clinical Intake office at 206-987-2080.

Medical Disclaimer

Medicine is an ever-changing science. As new research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment and drug therapy are required. The authors have checked with sources believed to be reliable in their efforts to provide information that is complete and generally in accord with the standards accepted at the time of publication.

In view of the possibility of human error or changes in medical sciences, the authors, Seattle Children's Healthcare System (SCHS) or any other party who has been involved in the preparation or publication of this work do not warrant that the information contained herein is in every respect accurate or complete. They are also not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information.

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