Doctors don't write prescriptions on a pad; they ask what pharmacy you use (so be prepared with an answer before you go for your first appointment), enter the prescription, and it goes straight to the pharmacy. Just go pick it up. Same with any lab tests you need, or referrals to other doctors. X-rays and scans are done at the hospital. The doc enters the order, you turn up at CHOMP, and they know what needs to be done.
At the doctor
At my doctor's office (and the same at the doctor my husband goes to) the doctor comes in the room with the laptop. She pulls up my medical info and refers to it during the discussion, just as she would a paper chart.After the appointment, they've give you an ID number and a URL where you can track your info online. They'll probably also give you a printed copy of any orders they've written for labs or referrals.
The only thing they don't enter an order for is vaccinations, like a flu shot. She recommended a few vaccinations, but I didn't need anything at the pharmacy.
Prescriptions
At your first appointment, they'll set up the pharmacy you use in their system. (There are not a lot of pharmacies in the area, so you don't need the address or phone...they'll know. ) Then all prescriptions are just entered into the system, and they'll go straight to the pharmacy. Just turn up at the pharmacy and pick it up.If you need a refill, just call the pharmacy. Even if you are out of refills, or the prescription says "no refills", call the pharmacy with the number from the pill bottle. They'll find out from the doctor if you can have more.
The only exception I've run into so far is eyeglasses; I did get a handwritten prescription for glasses. (I've been told by the option that my eye doctor uses an old-fashioned type of notation for the prescription, so maybe that's why he has to write them.)
Lab tests
For blood tests or other lab work, they'll send you to a private lab. At my first doctor's appointment, they asked me what lab I wanted, which completely confused me. I'm used to them drawing a sample right there at the doctor's office, or for something more complicated, telling me specifically where to go. I said I didn't know so the doctor went ahead and entered what she wanted, then the front desk provided me with a list of labs in the area. Now I'm set up, so they just enter the order, it gets transmitted to the lab, and I just turn up.The lab won't do anything if they don't have the order, so you might want to call ahead to make sure they've got it. You don't need an appointment, but obviously at busier times there will be a longer wait. (If you can wait until afternoon--hard to do if the test requires fasting--there's no wait at all).
It also helps to have good medical insurance (I am very fortunate in that way). At the lab, I saw a lot of people filling out paper work and jumping through various hoops regarding payment. My insurance info was transmitted along with the order so I basically just gave my name, signed some sort of authorization, and breezed right in. When I got home, my husband asked what it was like, and the first thing I said was "thank goodness we have insurance..."
X-Rays & Scans
The doctor's office sends an order to CHOMP (I assume if you're closer to Salinas they'll send you to Natividad, but I can only speak to the Monterey experience). You don't need an appointment.Exception: Mammography is done at Carol Hatton Breast Care Center (owned by CHOMP) and you do schedule an appointment.When you walk in the front door at CHOMP, instead of going to the Reception desk, turn left and go to Outpatient Check-in (past the gift shop). They'll take your name, look up the order, and have you take a seat and wait to be called. Once of the admissions reps will call you in, go over insurance and payments and such, and have you sign some forms. They they direct you to Radiology or wherever you need to go. Show them that all-important order and you're good to go.
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