Before Your First Visit

If you’re a new patient, these tips can help you make the most of your visit and save time:

  • Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.
  • Come to the Patient Services registration area. Staff will ask for information, including your insurance coverage and the best way to contact you. They’ll also create your medical record, which is used for all future visits.
  • Patients whose health insurance requires a referral from their primary care provider (PCP) must obtain one for care at UHS. You'll be reminded of this when you schedule an appointment, and be asked to provide your PCP's name and address. To avoid having to get referrals, consider switching your PCP designation to a UHS provider.
  • UHS will bill your insurance company for services you receive. Before your first visit, download and complete UHS's insurance information form. Return the completed form, along with photocopies of both sides of your insurance card, to Patient Services. You'll also be asked for your PCP's name, address and phone number, if that person is not a UHS provider.
  • At your appointment, you’ll be asked to fill out some forms. To save time, download and complete them before coming to UHS.
  • Review your medical history. Your UHS provider needs to know about allergies, prescription and over-the-counter medications you take, past illness or injury, immunizations, hospitalizations and other important information. 
  • Bring phone and fax numbers of any other providers who care for you, so we can communicate with them. If you have important medical records, bring copies with you, or have your provider send them to UHS ahead of time.
  • If you're under 18, the law requires your parent/guardian to give written consent for you to receive medical care. Plan ahead – download the Consent to Treat Minor Patients form and get it signed in advance!
  • Before you come in, make a list of the health concerns you want to discuss, in order of importance. If your concerns are very involved, ask for a longer appointment, so the provider has enough time to review them in detail. Sometimes, more than one visit may be necessary.

Questions about insurance or registration? Call Patient Services, 413-577-5192.