What is typically required for beneficiaries before visiting a specialist in a Medicare Advantage plan?

In a Medicare Advantage plan, it is typically required for beneficiaries to obtain a referral from a primary care provider before visiting a specialist. This requirement is in place to ensure that patients are directed to specialists who are appropriate for their specific health needs, and it promotes coordinated care within the managed care structure of Medicare Advantage plans. This process can help prevent unnecessary specialist visits and keep overall healthcare costs down.

By involving the primary care provider in the referral process, it also allows for better management of the patient's overall healthcare plan, ensuring that all aspects of the patient's health are considered before seeing a specialist. This coordination can lead to more effective treatment and improved health outcomes.

The other choices reflect scenarios that do not align with the typical procedural requirements of Medicare Advantage plans, thus making them less appropriate in this context.