Is This Your First Solo Doctors Office Visit? Here's What To Bring

What should you bring to your first doctor's office visit? This is your first primary care physician (or PCP) appointment alone as a young adult. Parents handled all of your medical care and information when you were under 18—but now it's your turn. If you're not sure what you need to bring to your first solo doctor's office visit, take a look at the questions to ask right now.

Does the Office Have Your Insurance Information?

Some offices send ahead pre-visit paperwork for new patients to complete. This often includes information about your insurance provider. If you've already completed a patient packet with your insurance number, group number, and the insured party (the person who is the primary insurance holder), you're one step ahead. 

What should you do if your doctor doesn't send this type of paperwork, you lost the packet, or you forgot to complete it? Make sure you have all the possible insurance information you need before your appointment. If you are still insured by your parents' policy, it's likely that you will need to know the primary holder's name, birth date, and social security number. 

Do You Have An Insurance Card?

If you've completed all the pre-visit insurance paperwork your doctor's office requested, do you still need to bring in an insurance card? Most medical offices require proof of insurance. This means you must bring the paper or plastic card with you. If you do not have a card, contact your insurer for information on obtaining a duplicate.

Should You Bring Identification?

As a new adult, you're new to the medical practice. As a first-time patient, you may need to provide the office staff with proof of identity for insurance and billing-related issues. Ask the practice's staff whether you need to bring a driver's license or other ID to the first appointment. 

Do You Need To Wear a Mask?

Now that you know more about the paperwork and insurance part of your first visit, it's time to turn your attention to practical health-related issues. Even though this wasn't a top question in pre-pandemic era times, now you need to know whether your state, local government, or the medical facility requires you to wear a face mask in the waiting room and during your visit. 

If you aren't required to wear a mask but are sick with a potentially contagious illness or don't want to get sick from potentially contagious patients in the office, seriously consider wearing one of these protective devices.