Getting the Most from Your Allotted Time During Office Visits to Your Physician

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Doctors and nurse practitioners are extremely busy and have little time to spend with individual patients. One way to avoid having too little time is to explain to the appointment clerk that you will need extra time to discuss your situation when you are seen in the office. This can usually be done, but it may cost more, as you might be scheduled for two back-to-back visits so that you can be accommodated. If the person scheduling this for you is not clear about the possible costs involved, be sure to ask. Your insurance might not pay without prior authorization, as well. If this is the case, find out the process for gaining the needed authorization, so you will not be forced to pay for the extra time.