US Medical Term · departments
Specialist
Especialista
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Specialist |
| Spanish (Español) | Especialista |
| Chinese (中文) | 专科医生 |
| Korean (한국어) | 전문의 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bác sĩ chuyên khoa |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Espesyalista |
| Portuguese (Português) | Especialista |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | แพทย์เฉพาะทาง |
| Japanese (日本語) | 専門医 |
What it means
A specialist is a physician with advanced training and board certification in a specific area of medicine, such as cardiology, oncology, orthopedics, or dermatology. Specialists focus on diagnosing and treating conditions within their area of expertise, often after referral from a primary care provider. Specialist visits typically carry higher copays than PCP visits. HMO plans usually require a referral; PPO plans typically allow direct access. Seeing an in-network specialist is critical for cost control.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
My primary care doctor is referring me to a specialist for further evaluation.
Mi médico de cabecera me está remitiendo a un especialista para una evaluación adicional.
Does my plan require a referral before I can see a specialist?
¿Mi plan requiere una derivación antes de poder ver a un especialista?
The specialist said she needs to run additional tests before recommending a treatment plan.
La especialista dijo que necesita realizar pruebas adicionales antes de recomendar un plan de tratamiento.
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: finding a primary care doctorSources
Last reviewed: September 2026