Georgia schools ask for two health forms. Form 3231 is the Certificate of Immunization. Form 3300 is the Certificate of Vision, Hearing, Dental, and Nutrition Screening. Form 3231 shows your child is up to date on required vaccines. Only health departments and Georgia-licensed physicians can complete it. Your child must have a current, valid copy… Read more »
Your family health history helps your doctor spot conditions you may be more likely to get, like heart disease, diabetes, or some cancers. It can also change when you should start some screenings. For example, a strong family history may mean starting a colonoscopy or mammogram earlier. Families share genes. They often share habits and… Read more »
Yes, for many health needs. Nurse practitioners (NPs) are registered nurses with a master’s or doctoral degree. They diagnose and treat illness, manage chronic conditions, and focus on prevention, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners. The main difference is training. Physicians go to medical school and complete a residency. NPs train through graduate… Read more »
No. Medicare’s yearly Wellness visit is a conversation with your provider to build or update a plan to prevent disease. It is not a routine physical exam. Medicare Part B covers the Wellness visit once every 12 months. Your first one can happen after you have had Part B for 12 months, or 12 months… Read more »
A patient portal is a secure website or app from your doctor’s office. It lets you see parts of your health record online, any time of day. Features vary by office, but many portals let you: See lab results and visit notes Request prescription refills Send non-urgent messages to your care team Check upcoming appointments… Read more »
Usually, yes. Under HIPAA, a doctor can talk with family members involved in a patient’s care if the patient agrees or does not object. A written form is not always required. The easiest way is to go to the visit together. Your parent can tell the doctor they want you included. The doctor can then… Read more »
Most young people move from a pediatrician to an adult doctor between ages 18 and 21. Some offices stop at 18 and others see patients through 21, so ask your child’s doctor. Start talking about the change in the early teen years. That gives your child time to learn about their own health, like their… Read more »
Confirm the new office takes your insurance, book a new patient visit, and ask your old office to send your records. You do not need your old doctor’s permission to switch. Here are the steps: Check your insurance. Make sure the new practice is in network. If your plan requires a primary care physician (PCP),… Read more »
Write down your top two or three concerns before you go, and start with the one that worries you most. That one step helps you and your doctor use the time well. Many people leave a visit and then remember a question they forgot. A short list fixes that. Other things that help: Bring a… Read more »
Most health plans cover preventive care, like a yearly checkup and certain screenings, at no cost when you see an in-network provider. You may get a bill if part of your visit was not preventive. Here is how that happens. A physical focuses on keeping you healthy. If you bring up a new problem, like… Read more »
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