Preparing for My Appointment

At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, we know that your appointment with your orthopedic doctor is important to you, and it can be most effective if you are prepared for it. This includes having the information your doctor will need from you as well as being able to gather the information that you need from your doctor.

These links contain information providing you with suggestions, tips, and tools to help you get the most out of your orthopedic appointment. Please let us know if there is anything we can do to further improve your experience with us at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists. We look forward to meeting with you.

Verify the date and time of the appointment: The time you should arrive at the office for your appointment is different than your scheduled appointment time. You will be required to provide personal identification and insurance information and complete new patient digital intake forms if this is your first visit or you are being seen for a new condition and or returning for the same condition after 1 year. You may be asked to arrive up to 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. Please confirm your expected arrival time when scheduling the appointment.

Know the address and location of your appointment: It is common for our doctors to see patients at several different office locations. Make sure you confirm the office location prior to leaving for your appointment.

Be aware of travel issues and delays: Become aware of any driving conditions, road construction detours, and/or parking requirements and locations that may present a delay in your arrival, and plan accordingly.

Identification and Insurance Information:

• Current photo ID
• Current insurance card(s)
• Insurance co-payment, co-insurance, and/or deductible deposit information, if applicable
• Insurance referral, if applicable* (Please verify that our office has received the referral prior to your appointment. Having a copy of your insurance referral is strongly recommended.)

Medical Information for Current Injury or Condition: All medical records and lab test results for your current injury or condition should be carried in or faxed to (847) 885-0026. Please bring a CD of any X-ray or MRI to be uploaded. If you have been evaluated or treated for your current injury or condition by another healthcare provider, please contact their office at least one week prior to your appointment, if possible, to request a copy of all medical records.

Personal Documentation of Current Injury or Condition: Throughout your visit, you will be asked questions about the injury or condition that you are being seen for. You may find that compiling a personal documentation record prior to your visit and having the record with you during your appointment may assist you in answering some of these questions.

Current List of All Medications You Are Taking: Bring a list of all your medications, including name, dosage, frequency, and purpose. Include prescribed medications, herbal supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications, as well as any medications you are allergic to.

Medical History: Maintain a record of prior treatments, surgeries, conditions, and illnesses, even if they are not related to your current injury or condition.

We recommend that you compile a written list of all questions and concerns that you want to address during your time in our office. To assist you in compiling your list, consider these departments/services:

• Appointment Scheduling
• Front Desk Reception
• Billing and Insurance
• Radiology (X-Ray, MRI Technicians)
• Nurses/Medical Assistants
• Physician Assistant(s)
• Doctor/Surgeon
• Physical Therapy
• Checkout Reception
• Surgery Scheduling

Take notes on what the office and medical staff discuss with you. Ask questions if you do not understand a policy, procedure, medical term, or the reason for your doctor’s diagnosis, treatment plan, recommendations, or instructions. If you need additional information, ask your doctor for handouts, brochures, or online resources.

Emergency Contact Information: Have an emergency contact list ready and updated regularly.

Bring a Family Member or Friend: You may consider asking another adult to accompany you. If you need a translator, please bring an adult translator or contact our office prior to your appointment to make arrangements.

Dress Comfortably: Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for your appointment. If your injury involves your neck, back, spine, shoulder, or hip, you may be asked to change into a medical robe. Wear loose clothing that is easy to remove.

Expect Wait Times: Personalized care doesn’t always follow strict schedules. We appreciate your patience if wait times are longer than expected due to special patient needs or emergencies.

Download Appointment Preparation Guide: You may download and print a PDF of all the information contained in the links on this page by clicking here(opens in a new tab).

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view and print PDF files, available for free download here(opens in a new tab).

*Please note that the information on these pages is not intended as a substitute for any instruction or advice given by a medical professional, staff member, or representative from Barrington Orthopedic Specialists or another healthcare entity.