What to bring with me to a healthcare appointment

Do you have everything you need for your appointment?

Making a list and checking that you have everything you need for your healthcare appointment ahead of time can help make sure that everything runs smoothly during your appointment and you are able to get the care you need.

Here’s a suggested list of items and information you should gather before your appointment:

• Name of your primary care physician or previous pediatrician (if you have this information)
• Copy of your insurance card if you have insurance (remember, it is usually an option to pay with cash or a credit card – talk to the clinic ahead of time about payment options)
• Driver's License or some form of ID, such as social security card or passport (if you have it)
• Date of last menstrual period
• The pharmacy you’d want to pick up medication from (in case you are prescribed medication). If you don’t know the best pharmacy, you can ask your parents or look up a pharmacy that’s near where you live.
• A list of any questions you have

If it's your first time at this particular clinic, you will also want to consider bringing:

• Copy of your immunization record and medical history (if you have it)
• A list of allergies you have
• A list of current medications you are taking
• If you have a chronic disease (such as asthma, diabetes, or migraine headaches), a list of those conditions. Also have a list of the name and dosage of medications you take, why you take them

Remember you can always bring someone with you if you want, like a friend or family member who knows all of this information

FAST FACT

Decide ahead of time how you will get to the appointment. You can use Google maps to see how long it will take to get there and plan ahead. When you call to book your appointment, you can ask if they have parking available or where the nearest bus/subway stop is.