How to Make a Doctor’s Appointment

Make a doctor’s appointment may seem like a mundane and routine event but if you’ve never made an appointment for yourself (or maybe didn’t grow up seeing doctors frequently) it can be intimidating and anxiety-inducing. Below, we break it all down so you can get the care you need when you need it and make the process as painless as possible.

When You Don’t Have a Primary Care Physician/Family Physician/Etc.

You’ve probably seen commercials for same day appointments or virtual appointments. Yes, they exist and yes, they are awesome (especially once you have a little one) but most come with a pretty big catch: they are for current patients only. But what do you do when you aren’t a current patient? You have two options, depending on your situation…

Already sick and need to see someone ASAP?

Honestly, it’s best to go to an urgent care or clinic. Some things to know about these types of care:

• They are convenient and will take care of you within hours
• You will pay for that convenience
• You may also risk a long stretch in a waiting room
• Where you can catch 265 other illnesses-Yikes! 

Generally, your insurance covers trips to the doctor, urgent care or emergency room, but the doctor’s visit is usually the cheapest option. (For copay information for each visit type, check your insurance provider’s website). However, seeing a doctor for an illness when you’ve never seen him/her before can take any where from 1-7 days.

Feeling alright but want to have that option should you get sick? Schedule a physical! 

A physical is a great reason for a new patient visit and most insurances cover the majority (if not all) of the costs associated with it. And, honestly, getting an annual physical is an easy, practical way to take care of yourself. Another perk? The majority of insurance companies that offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) option will give you money just for getting a physical! FREE MONEY!

Also, it’s important to find a doctor that’s covered by your insurance company. The easiest way is to log in to your insurer’s website. They almost always have a “find a doctor/provider/facility” option that even has filters (e.g. male or female) and sorting options (distance from your home, patient ratings). This will make sure you don’t have to pay a ton of out of pocket or repeat the process if you accidentally choose someone who isn’t covered the first time. 

What You Need to Make An Appointment

Whether you are seeing a doctor for the first time or you’ve been a patient for years, you’ll need a few things when you call to make an appointment:

• Your schedule and availability – Have an idea of a time and day that works best for you. Fortunately a lot of offices have expanded their schedules to include evening and weekend visits to accommodate the working population.
• Your most recent insurance information – The individual booking your appointment will usually need the group number and an ID unique to you (or the insurance carrier, e.g. your spouse, parent, etc.). You can easily find both of these pieces of information on your insurance card.
• The reason you are calling – Exams like a physical generally take longer than just seeing you for a cold, so the receptionist may need some specifics to allow the appropriate time.

Seeing a Doctor for the First Time

That first visit requires some basic paperwork. Good news is once you fill it out, they will keep it on file and just have you update and verify everything every so often. But a few things you’ll need to bring/complete:

• Insurance card – They generally make a copy so they can reference it for billing
• ID – to verify you are who you say you are and that you are covered by the insurance company
• Medical history – This isn’t just about you – it includes any conditions and health issues your siblings, parents and/or grandparents have/had
• Current medical information– any diagnosed conditions or illnesses as well as any medications, vitamins or supplements you take. You should know the names of any specialists you see for those conditions/illnesses Tip: if you are able to get your records from a previous doctor, you can expedite the last two steps a bit!
• A form of payment- You generally will pay a co-pay amount for doctor’s office visits, especially when you are sick. Some offices require you to pay this amount at the visit while some will bill you later. Note: if you participate in a medical FSA or HSA program with your employer, this is a GREAT opportunity to use that card they give you! Just keep the receipt!

Other than that, just come with an open mind and be honest! The doctor can’t help you if you withhold or *fudge* details (especially regarding things like exercise, alcohol, or drugs). They genuinely want to help, without judgement. When you provide the true facts, they can provide the most accurate and timely care to keep (or help you return to) healthy. Good luck and good health!

After the Appointment

Most important, do what the doctor advised! Whether that’s filling and taking a prescription, seeing a specialist or completing more testing and procedures, following the treatment plan is the first step in addressing concerns and finding answers. Keep in mind, sometimes finding a root cause of an issue requires a process of elimination. Be patient, be honest and stick to the plan. It’s worth it in the end!

Also, make sure you understand and participate in the billing process. Don’t hesitate to verify any line item or cost you aren’t confident about. Both the provider and insurance company can answer any questions or concerns and clarify costs for you and your responsibilities.

Your health is fundamental to your success and happiness. Make the commitment to maintain and establish baselines when you’re young and healthy and you can often mitigate or even eliminate painful injuries and illnesses. 

Pst! Want this information is a streamlined, visual version? Check out our Doctor’s Appointments 101 Tool!

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