alt Hacker NewsIf you have halfway decent insurance in the US you do not need a referral to see a specialist.
The exception to this rule is if you are in an HMO like Kaiser which force you through "level one support" (your GP) or if the specialist is so busy they require a referral to screen out the social media schizos.
However, many (most?) specialists won't see you without a referral unless they are self pay.