Can you see a medical specialist in the Netherlands without a GP referral?

Question

Suppose you want to consult a medical specialist rather than a general practitioner about an issue you're having: an orthopedist, a neurologist, an otolaryngologist, an opthalmologist and so on (but not something like a physical therapist or psychologist, or other para-medical professionals).

Expatica says there are essentially two options:

• A referral from your general practitioner / family doctor
• A medical emergency in which you're admitted to a hospital

Is there another way (either covered, partially-covered, or possibly-retroactively-covered by your medical insurance)?

Answer 1

It is possible, but not covered by insurance.

Source: official government site (in Dutch: "Wilt u een behandeling zelf betalen? Dan heeft u geen verwijzing nodig." - "Do you want to pay for the treatment yourself? Then you don't need a referral")

Answer 2

No, Google Dutch sites for 'Seeing a specialist' and they will tell you that over and over:

From iamexpat.nl:

If you wish to see a specialist, you will need a referral from a general practitioner. You will also need to show this referral to your insurance company if you wish the costs to be covered. Once you have a referral, you can make an appointment with the specialist directly. If you know the specialist you wish to see, you may request a referral to that person.

From xpat.nl:

The GP, if he thinks you need more specialized expertise (or if you think you do), will refer you to a specialist. Most often, this will be someone at the nearest hospital. He will give you a referral notice (containing, among others, a history of your ailment) for the hospital and specialist he feels you should see. This does not mean that you do not have a say in what (type of) specialist you get to see or which hospital you would like to go to. Most GPs are quite flexible and all you have to do is say what (or who) it is you want.

But why would you want to? Your GP is the perfect person to determine which specialist to see and advise you.
If you are asking because you have a conflict with your GP^*, find another one or a get a second opinion from another GP (you are always entitled to that).

PS Some institutes claim you can do it with them: "Can I book an appointment directly with a specialist [...]?", but I have no idea what institute this is (private?) and if they do not just follow the path of 'medical emergency'.

^{* In that case you should have asked that instead of posting an X-Y problem}