> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.bilby.health/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Referrals

> Add a referral, fill it from a PDF, and see how sessions are counted.

Referrals record who referred the patient, which funding source applies, and how long the referral lasts.

1. Open the patient's **Referrals** tab and select **Add referral**.
2. Choose the referrer. If they aren't listed, admins and reception can add them from the same search.
3. Add the funding source, referral date, period and any session limit.
4. Select **Add referral**.

Select a referral to edit it. Deleting a referral unlinks its appointments.

## Fill a referral from a PDF

If the referral letter is a PDF, Bilby can fill in the referrer, referral date and period for you.

1. In the referral panel, select **Fill from PDF**.
2. Choose one of the patient's PDFs, or add a new one.
3. Tick what you want to use, then select **Fill the form**.
4. Check the panel, then select **Add referral** to save.

Nothing is saved until you save the referral. If the letter looks like it's for someone else, nothing starts ticked.

## Session counts and status

An appointment linked to a referral counts as a session once it has happened. Cancelled appointments don't count. If the patient used sessions before you started with Bilby, enter them when you edit the referral.

Bilby works out each referral's status for you: active, expired (past its expiry date) or exhausted (all sessions used). When you book, the calendar warns you if the patient has no active referral.


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