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Questions? We're here to help.

Call (413) 577-5000

Before Your First Visit

Patient Services staff

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

  • Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.

  • Stop first at 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 insured by a health maintenance organization (HMO) or point-of-service (POS) plan which requires a referral from their primary care physician must obtain a referral for care at UHS. When scheduling an appointment, you'll be reminded of this requirement and will be asked to provide your PCP's name and address. To avoid the need to obtain a referral, consider switching your PCP designation to a UHS provider.

  • UHS will bill your insurance company for services provided to you. Before your first visit, download and complete UHS' insurance information form. Return the completed form, along with photocopies of both sides of your insurance card, to UHS' Patient Services department. If you are insured under an HMO or POS plan, you must also provide the name, address and telephone number of your primary care provider.

  • At your appointment, you’ll be asked to fill out some brief medical questionnaires. To save time, download the forms here and complete them before you come to UHS.

  • Review your medical history. Your UHS provider needs to know about allergies, medications, 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’re under a provider’s care and have important medical records, bring a copy with you or have your provider send them to our offices 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.

  • UHS provides comprehensive primary care services. Spend some time on this website to learn about what we can do for you. If you’re interested in certain services or programs, ask your provider for more information or call (413) 577-5000.

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