The best replacement for referral is reference.

The best alternatives to referral are rated as following:
★★★★★  reference
★★★★  recommendation
★★★  consult
★★  consultation
★★  referral
★★  authorization
★  referral spelling
★  referee
★  affiliate
★  prescription
★  direct traffic
★  prior authorization
  provider referral
  pre authorization
  reseller
  object referral

Your alternative for referral is not listed? Suggest!
Speaking about referral, one probably shouldn't forget about medicare.

Other search terms related to referral and their ratings are:
★★★★★ medicare
★★★★★ tricare
★★★★ ppo
★★★★ tricare standard
★ gp
You have in mind a companion for referral and it is not yet here? Propose!



Google Trends

Scale is based on the average worldwide traffic of referral in all years. Click on graph for more.
referral
reference
recommendation