I have recently had some health issues that require seeing a GI specialist. I have no insurance, am totally self-pay. Are there standards or laws that govern how a private paying individual can schedule their own appointment or must it be a referral with the very expensive refferral fee, as I would prefer to spend that money for the procedure needed. Or is that something that is totally up to the Doctor himself? Any help would be most apprectiated.

Referrals are a tool of HMOs and similar to ensure that care by a specialist is warranted. However, some doctors will not see patients except by referral. So you need to ask the specialist you want to see.

Thanks, I will be sure to ask beforehand.