Navigating your healthcare appointment

Tips to navigate your healthcare appointment Tips to navigate your healthcare appointment Advice from a physician assistant Advice from a physician assistant

Know the red flags before you go Know the red flags before you go Chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness? Best to mention those in the beginning of your appointment so they can be triaged and addressed in full. Chest pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness? Best to mention those in the beginning of your appointment so they can be triaged and addressed in full.

Vocalize what you hope to get out of your appointment Vocalize what you hope to get out of your appointment That way, your provider has an idea of how to frame the encounter. Communication is key! That way, your provider has an idea of how to frame the encounter. Communication is key!

Go in with a plan Go in with a plan Pick one or two things you REALLY want to address in full. That way you have enough time to discuss them in detail. Pick one or two things you REALLY want to address in full. That way you have enough time to discuss them in detail.

Schedule close follow- up Schedule close follow- up Sometimes you can’t get to everything and that’s okay! Schedule close follow up appointments for the things you didn’t have time to get to. Sometimes you can’t get to everything and that’s okay! Schedule close follow up appointments for the things you didn’t have time to get to.

Bring something to do for the waiting room. Bring something to do for the waiting room. It’s always a bummer when you have to wait. So bring something to do in the waiting room - a book, magazine, crossword - whatever helps ease your mind and pass the time. It’s always a bummer when you have to wait. So bring something to do in the waiting room - a book, magazine, crossword - whatever helps ease your mind and pass the time.

Get comfortable with the idea of not getting a diagnosis right away Get comfortable with the idea of not getting a diagnosis right away Sometimes these things take TIME. And you may not get all of the answers in one appointment alone. Sometimes these things take TIME. And you may not get all of the answers in one appointment alone.

Call your insurance first! Call your insurance first! If there are labs you definitely want to get done, be sure to call your insurance first to see what they cover. That way, you avoid a huge bill. If there are labs you definitely want to get done, be sure to call your insurance first to see what they cover. That way, you avoid a huge bill.