Which of the following is NOT a type of referral?

The correct response indicates that "indirect" is not typically categorized as a type of referral in the context of medical billing and coding. Referrals are ways in which a primary care provider or specialist directs a patient to another healthcare professional for further treatment or specialized care.

Formal referrals are documented requests typically involving a written, often standard form, ensuring that the receiving provider has all necessary patient information. Direct referrals involve a straightforward process where the primary care provider sends the patient to a specialist, often immediately, without additional steps. Verbal referrals occur through spoken communication rather than written documentation, but they still establish a link between providers for patient care.

In contrast, the term "indirect" does not usually refer to a specific method of referral. In healthcare, indirect means could suggest a less direct or unstructured pathway for patient transfer, often lacking the formalities and specific communication pathways that characterize the other types. Therefore, the distinction clarifies why "indirect" does not fit within the traditional referral classifications used in medical settings.