- For Members
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- A Guide for New Members
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- Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit
Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit
Get yearly checkups.
When you’re in good health, it’s easy to put off going to the doctor. But regular checkups can help you stay healthy. A yearly exam is the perfect time to talk about illness prevention, healthy lifestyle choices, and any screenings. That information helps you and your primary care physician (PCP) create a plan to maintain or improve your health.
Build a relationship with your PCP.
There’s real value to being seen by someone who knows you and your health history — someone you trust to guide you through an illness or emergency. Having this kind of relationship with your doctor means peace of mind.
Be honest.
Never be afraid or embarrassed to tell your doctor something. What you don’t share could be important for your doctor to make an accurate diagnosis or prescribe the best treatment plan.
Bring your “checklist.”
How can you make the most of your doctor visit? Here’s what to do before you see your PCP:
View/Download 10 Ways to Prepare for a New Doctor Visit to:
- Make a list of all medications you are taking. Include all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements that you currently take, how often you take them, and why.
- Update your family history. Your family history can provide important clues about your risk for certain diseases, including diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.
- Ask about health screenings. Screenings can be important tools in preventing some illnesses and diseases. Get a list of recommended screenings and talk about them with your doctor.
- Make a list of questions or health concerns. Asking questions and sharing your concerns about health issues helps your doctor improve your care. Jot down things you want to discuss so you don’t forget.
After Visit Services
Knowing what to expect after your doctor’s appointment for lab work, imaging, or referral to a specialist can help ease your mind. The information below can be used as an estimation for when you will hear back from your doctors office.
If your doctor offers MyHillChart Patient Portal, be sure to create an account for a more convenient way to get test results and communicate with your doctor.
| Service | General Processing Time* | Your Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Routine Lab Work (blood work, urine sample) | 24-72 hours | Log into your patient portal to view results or call your doctor’s office. |
| COVID-19 Test Results | Variable depending on testing site and demand | Log into your patient portal to view results or call your doctor’s office. |
| Imaging Results (X-ray, Ultrasound, CT Scan, MRI Scan) | X-ray – 24 hours Ultrasound – 24-48 hours CT Scan and MRI – 48-72 hours | Log into your patient portal to view results or call your doctor’s office. |
| Referral to Specialist | The referring doctor will process the referral within 24-48 hours, depending on the urgency of your office visit. Allow 5-7 business days for the office you were referred to contact you to schedule your appointment. | After 5-7 business days, you can call the doctor’s office you were referred to, for follow-up and/or to make an appointment. |
| Non-urgent question or request to your doctor (requests sent by patient via phone or through patient portal) | 24-72 business hours | Your doctor or care team will contact you either by phone or message you on your patient portal. Contact your doctor’s office if you have not heard back after 72 business hours. |
| Urgent and/or Emergent Care Questions | Variable depending on severity of your condition | Get more information about urgent care, including when and where to go. |
| Authorizations | Authorizations vary by insurance, urgency, received date and additional information requests. | Get more information on authorizations. |
*Processing times may vary for lab and imaging results. Please allow your doctor additional time to provide results.
Spacing: medium
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