Preparing For A Successful Doctor Office Visit

Whether they are in good health or not, most people go to their doctor's office at least once a year for their annual checkup. Regardless of how often your see the doctor, however, it's important to prepare for your visit. This will help you get the most out of your appointment and potentially save you another trip in the near future. Here are a few tips to prepare you for your next doctor office visit:

Make Sure Your Insurance Is In Order

One of the unfortunate things about insurance is it often changes. The insurer may change, the policy and what it covers may change, and some things may qualify toward the deductible while others don't. Routine care such as annual checkups may be covered, or they may not be. Your physician may not be a member in your network.

To avoid any unwelcome financial surprises, go over your insurance policy carefully before each appointment. Check what is and isn't covered and which services you need to pay a portion of. Make sure the clinic and physician are both a part of your network if your insurance operates that way.

If you know or suspect you will be having some kind of procedure, check to see if your insurance company requires pre-approval or a second opinion before the procedure is performed. If your insurance policy is confusing or doesn't provide all the answers, call and ask. This will help document your due diligence should there be a dispute down the line.

Write Down Any Concerns

It's easy to forget everything you want to discuss with the doctor once you arrive to the appointment. The best way to avoid going to the doctor and failing to mention everything you wanted to discuss with them is to make a list.

Don't forget the little things, either — they could be really important! For example, if you have noticed a new mole on the palm of your hand, a dark black spot under your toenail bed, or a skin growth that keeps bleeding, these could all be early signs of melanoma or another type of skin cancer. These can often be cured if caught early but can be deadly if ignored.

Bring Along Your Medications

Medication errors happen all the time. Pharmacists can fill the wrong prescription, or your dermatologist may prescribe something that should not be taken with another drug your internist has prescribed.

These errors may be your fault because you forgot to disclose all drugs you were currently taking, or they may be accidental or a result of negligence on the part of the provider. By bringing along your medications — including supplements — you can be assured you are taking what you are supposed to be taking.