| Patients generally judge their medical care by how | | | | the child in? |
| quickly they can get in and out of a doctor's | | | | 6. What is your work and home phone number |
| office, the bedside manor of the staff and the | | | | and what is the preferred method of contact? If |
| level and accuracy of care. According to the | | | | your office gives confirmation calls, this |
| American Medical Association, it is the office | | | | information is very important. It is also useful for |
| receptionist's duty to ask patients a series of | | | | getting more information from the patient, such |
| questions to help doctor's and nurses give their | | | | as billing information, treatment information, etc. |
| patient proper care. | | | | 7. Where you referred by another doctor? If so, |
| | | | | what is the doctor's name and contact |
| 1. What is your full name and how is it spelled? In | | | | information? It is important to know the name |
| order to verify insurance coverage, providers | | | | and contact information of the referring physician |
| require the patient's full legal name, spelled | | | | in order to obtain the patients medical records and |
| correctly. | | | | other information from their office. |
| 2. What is the purpose of the appointment? You | | | | 8. Should specific results and records be brought |
| will need to know about how much time an | | | | to the office with the patient? It is very |
| appointment will take. If lab work and x-rays will | | | | important for patients who have been referred |
| be required, a sufficient block of time should be | | | | by other doctors or who have gotten test results |
| reserved for that patient. | | | | from other physicians to coordinate those records |
| 3. Do you have insurance? If so, what is the | | | | with your office's records. If your offices use |
| name of your provider? This information is | | | | electronic medical records or EMR software, this is |
| necessary to verify that the patient has current | | | | much easier. |
| coverage and to determine their co-pay and | | | | 9. Are you familiar with our office's policies? Your |
| deductible due at the time of the visit. Check with | | | | physician my have special instructions for their |
| the accounting staff to what additional | | | | patients, especially if your offices is that of a |
| information, such as the patient's date of birth and | | | | specialist. For example, does the patient need to |
| current address, is required. | | | | fast after midnight or take or cease to take any |
| 4. When did you last have a doctor's | | | | medications? |
| appointment? Always verify that a patient has | | | | 10. Do you have any questions? It's very helpful |
| accurate contact and insurance information. | | | | to both you and the patient to get any other |
| 5. What is your age? If the patient is a minor, | | | | questions out of the way before their visit. This |
| which parent's insurance plan covers them and | | | | can save time on both your parts, as well as |
| what is their contact information? How is their | | | | save trouble for the physician and other medical |
| name spelled? Who is responsible for decisions | | | | staff. |
| about the child's care and which parent will bring | | | | |