Finding a Doctor in the United States: Step by Step Guide for Scheduling an Appointment

Step by Step Guide to Making a Doctor’s Appointment

• • Know what plan you have 
    • If you have insurance, which is recommended, gather your insurance policy documents and insurance ID card
      • Your insurance ID card states the name of the insurance plan, the insurance carrier, and your insurance ID number
  • Verify your coverage
    • You will call your insurance company directly to see what’s covered in your plan
    • You may be able to see what is covered through your plan on your insurance providers website
    • You may need to pre-authorize treatment in certain instances such as surgery. You can do this while you are verifying your coverage or you can ask your provider to pre-authorize coverage prior to the procedure during your doctor’s appointment 
  • Schedule your Appointment
    • You can schedule an appointment online, through provider apps, and by calling the office of the doctor you would like to see
    • They will ask for your name, the reason for your visit, and information needed in order to schedule your appointment which will include
      • Personal information such as 
        • Name
        • Date of birth
        • Insurance information
    • When scheduling an appointment, you can ask if they have certain times open on certain days for an appointment, and they can try to schedule you then
      • You can also ask for any availability, and choose the time and date that works for you 
    • Once you choose a time they will verify the information with you, and you will most likely be sent an email confirming your appointment as well as an email, later on, to remind you of the appointment
  • Attend your Appointment
    • Make sure you bring your insurance ID card with you, and you will need to check-in at the front desk before you can see your doctor
      • They will verify your information, have you sign any forms, and will let you know the cost (if any) of your appointment that day
  • File a claim
    • A medical claim is a bill that healthcare providers submit to a patient’s insurance provider
      • This bill has medical codes that detail the care given to you during your visit, which describes any service provided including
        • Procedures
        • Medical supplies
        • Medical devices
        • Diagnosis
        • Medical transportation
        • Medications
    • When you submit a claim, insurance providers will assess the codes and determine how to reimburse a provider