Preparing for Your Appointment

What to Bring

Insurance and related information, including:

All insurance cards
Medicare or Medicaid cards, if applicable
A list of your current medications
Any medications you are currently taking, in the original bottle (only if you are staying overnight)
A list of any allergies
Photo identification (driver’s license, military or government issued card)
Birth certificate copy for minors
Employer information for worker's compensation claims
Information on the person responsible for the bill
Automobile insurance card, if your visit is the result of an automobile accident
Personal information such as phone numbers, addresses and emergency contact information
Your doctor's full name, address and phone number
Pre-authorization, referrals and/or any other information regarding why you are at the hospital
A copy of your advance directive
Your health history, including past surgeries, hospitalizations and allergies

Personal items

Hearing aides and extra batteries
Assistive devices (walker, cane)
Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, denture cup, comb or brush, shaver, lip balm, lotion
Your favorite slippers and robe
Phone calling card if you think you'll need to make long distance calls
Reading material (books, magazines)
Somebody to drive you home, especially if you are having an out-patient procedure