According to comprehensive reports from WorldWay: After successfully obtaining a U.S. investment immigration green card, you should better integrate into American life. Being new to the country, you may feel unfamiliar with and curious about your surroundings. Even if you fall ill, you might not be clear on how to use medical insurance or what the steps for seeing a doctor are. WorldWay immigration experts kindly remind you that there are differences between the medical systems in China and the U.S. It is best to have some understanding of the basic steps when seeking medical care. Below, let us take a look at the rules and procedures for seeing a doctor in the United States:
Based on the name of the medical insurance company provided by your employer or chosen by yourself, go online or call to request a Physician Directory for your area (which will list the physician names and office addresses).
First: Choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP), by selecting one of the following:
Family Practice/General Practice: For adults and children, to treat common illnesses.
Internal Medicine: Trained to handle many chronic diseases in adults.
Pediatrician: Treats only children; the primary doctor to choose for your child.
WorldWay U.S. immigration experts remind you: Generally, do not attempt to call a specialist without going through your family doctor. Specialists usually require a basic diagnosis and/or a referral from a primary doctor. Their expertise lies in their specialty, and they will not spend the time, nor are they obligated, to perform a full-body checkup, as that is the responsibility of your family doctor.
Second: Call the family doctor you have chosen. If you do not speak English, please invite someone who does to assist you, or ask the clinic at the beginning if they have translation services (do you have a Chinese translator?) (unless it is a Chinese doctor). If you are a new patient, please have your name, date of birth, address, phone number, and medical insurance number ready.
Before your appointment, the medical office may mail you a packet of information that new patients need to register and complete. You must fill out all information in English and return it. If the medical office accepts you as a new patient, you need to inform your medical insurance company of the name of the primary doctor you have chosen so that the insurance company will cover the costs.
Third: Once you have confirmed an appointment time, you need to follow these rules:
Procedure 1: Be on time! This is the most important part of seeing a doctor.
For example: If your appointment time is 10:00 AM, you should arrive by 09:45 AM. If you are late, you may not be able to see the doctor because the time slot previously scheduled for you has passed, unless you notify the medical office in advance that you are stuck in traffic and may be five minutes late, and the office agrees to hold the appointment for you. If you miss your appointment, the office will usually charge a penalty fee. If you are a new patient and have not yet filled out any paperwork, please arrive at least 30 minutes before your appointment time. If you have an appointment but cannot make it for any reason, you must call to cancel or reschedule at least 24 hours in advance, otherwise, you will also be fined.
Procedure 2: Go to the front desk before seeing the doctor - bring a photo ID and your medical insurance card.
a. Check-in - Go to the front desk to check in and tell the receptionist your name and appointment time.
b. Partial or full payment - If you have been here before and have medical insurance, you will need to pay a portion of the cost (co-pay for office visit).
c. Fill out forms - You need to fill out two basic types of forms: the first is about you and your medical history; the second is about medical insurance and HIPAA policies, etc. If you cannot fill them out yourself, you can have someone fill them out for you, but the person filling them out must sign with you to indicate validity.
Procedure 3: Waiting room - Sit and wait.
Wait quietly in the waiting room for the nurse until you are notified to go in to see the doctor. Pediatric clinics are often divided into: well-child waiting room and sick-child waiting room.
Procedure 4: Examination room
a. If you are a new patient, the nurse will check your height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, etc., to obtain your baseline data. If you need to undress, the nurse will instruct you on how to prepare, put on a gown, and wait for the doctor.
b. What is the illness? - You must tell the doctor what is bothering you. If your English is not good, you need to bring a translator who is capable of describing your condition or where you are in pain. Before you come, please write your questions on a piece of paper to avoid forgetting them, so that your symptoms and questions can be handled and answered as best as possible within the limited time.
c. Types of medication you are taking - Bring a list of medications, including how many pills you take at a time and how often. Or bring the medicine bottles to explain the situation. If you are taking Chinese medicine, you must bring its English name.
d. Bring medical records - If you have test results and medical records from a previous doctor, please bring them. In addition, you need to provide the names of any drug allergies.
e. When seeing the doctor, the doctor will give you a diagnosis and the necessary treatment plan, and answer your questions. If you encounter medical terms or drug names you do not understand, you can ask the doctor to explain them in plain language (non-medical terminology) or write them down for you. If you have multiple physical issues, choose the three most important ones and prioritize them. Generally, if you have more than three conditions, the doctor will ask you to schedule another time.
Procedure 5: Go to the front desk again.
WorldWay U.S. immigration experts remind you again: Before you leave, please go to the front desk again to clarify and confirm whether everything has been completed; whether the doctor wants you to return and has given you a new appointment time; whether you need an appointment for another test or lab work; or if you are being referred to a specialist, the front desk should give you the specialist's phone number or help you make an appointment; or if you need to pay additional fees, etc.
WorldWay Editor
