December 22, 2007
Preparing For Your Dermatologist Appointment
With your medical history in hand, there are a few additional steps you can take to make the most out of your first office visit:
- Arrive 15 minutes early: On your first visit to any healthcare provider's office, you're generally expected to fill out a form or two. Your new doctor will need — at a minimum — your name, address, medical history, drug allergies, and current medication. You will also need to provide information about your insurance coverage and how you expect to pay for your visits (such as with cash or credit card). Arrive at the office earlier than your scheduled appointment to take care of these issues.
- Bring a parent: If you're a minor, you should come in with a parent or guardian. A minor is a person under the legal age of consent, which is generally 18. Certain procedures or medications will require parental consent, so be sure, especially on that first visit, that an adult or legal guardian is present.
- Bring your insurance card: You will be asked for your insurance card or the card of the policy holder if coverage isn't in your name. If you don't have a card with you, you should at least know the name and date of birth of the cardholder.
- Remove your makeup: When you see a dermatologist and expect a careful examination of your face, you shouldn't be wearing makeup to conceal the reason you went there in the first place — your face!
