---
title: "Record whether a specialist referral is in the file, and its date"
url: "https://ailawframework.com/practice/health-and-medical-law/check-a-specialist-referral-before-the-attendance-is-billed/united-states"
type: "task_jurisdiction_version"
site: "AI Law Framework"
id: "A32-NE20261022-12-US"
practice_area: "Health & Medical Law"
tier: "yellow"
lawyer_review: "required"
jurisdictions: ["US"]
last_reviewed: "2026-10-22"
---

# Record whether a specialist referral is in the file, and its date

> Record whether the file contains a referral, its date, and the names it uses. Do not say the later attendance may be billed.

Canonical page: https://ailawframework.com/practice/health-and-medical-law/check-a-specialist-referral-before-the-attendance-is-billed/united-states  
Last reviewed: 2026-10-22

Site index for agents: https://ailawframework.com/llms.txt

## Key facts

| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Practice area | [Health & Medical Law](https://ailawframework.com/practice/health-and-medical-law.md) |
| Human involvement | Yellow: Lawyer and AI draft together |
| How AI is used | Record whether the file contains a referral, its date, and the names it uses. Do not say the later attendance may be billed. |
| What the lawyer must review | You decide billing. No specialist-referral billing rule was opened. A referral in the file is not a finding that an item is payable, and a missing referral is not a finding that it is not. Model Rule 1.4(b) is the explanation to the practitioner. 45 CFR § 164.502 limits use of the referral if it contains protected health information. Formal Opinion 512 applies before the file is put into a tool to answer the billing question. |
| Written for | United States |
| Applies to | [Check a specialist referral before the attendance is billed](https://ailawframework.com/practice/health-and-medical-law/check-a-specialist-referral-before-the-attendance-is-billed.md) |

## Checking plan

- What the AI does: Record whether the file contains a referral, its date, and the names it uses. Do not say the later attendance may be billed.
- Basis: Checked against the linked sources on 22 October 2026. Confirm the current instrument before reliance.

## Notes

- Do not invent a validity period for the referral.
- The date is the date on the paper. It is not calculated.

## Sources

- [ABA Model Rule 1.4, Communications](https://www.americanbar.org/groups/professional_responsibility/publications/model_rules_of_professional_conduct/rule_1_4_communications/) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [45 CFR § 164.502 (uses and disclosures of protected health information)](https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-C/part-164/subpart-E/section-164.502) (checked 2026-10-22)
- [ABA Formal Opinion 512, Generative Artificial Intelligence Tools (29 July 2024)](https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/professional_responsibility/ethics-opinions/aba-formal-opinion-512.pdf) (checked 2026-10-22)

*Practice guidance for planning and review. Confirm current primary sources and the requirements of the actual matter. This is general information, not legal advice.*