1. Transfer of the total or specific care of a patient from one physician to another. 2. In managed care, a request by the primary care physician for authorization for a member to receive care from a specialist or hospital or get certain services. In some managed care plans, a member may need an approval from the primary care physician to a specialist for insurance coverage. 3. Document obtained from a provider or plan-approved caregiver so that a plan enrollee may receive additional medical services from a specific place/person.