Jennifer - I can't remember actually as we hardly ever take him to a ped (normally just to our GP who has some ped qualifications). We also have different insurance through my husbands work and we do need a GP referral to see a specialist through that insurance. We generally would take him to see the GP first anyway so hasn't been too much of a hassle so far.
We have had Allianz insurance before and had to battle them for EVERY claim so would not choose them again.