Preparing for Your Appointment

Preparing for Your Appointment 

In order to enable your physician to properly evaluate your condition, please bring the following items to your appointment:

• All radiological studies (CT, MRI, X-ray) pertaining to your current medical problem. Medical reports of X-rays are not sufficient, you must bring the actual radiological films with you to be reviewed. Do not send films prior to your appointment unless asked to do so.
• Prior medical records and consultations from other physicians who have investigated your medical problem should also be hand carried to the appointment.
• A complete list of the names and dosage of all the medications that you take.
• If you have been hospitalized for your current problem, please bring a copy of the discharge report.
• If you have heart disease or have been hospitalized with a heart problem, you need to bring a recent summary from your cardiologist or recent description of any hospitalizations for heart disease.
• Your insurance card(s) and claim form(s), if applicable.
• Letter of authorization (required by all HMOs). You must consult your primary care provider to get an authorization number. If you do not bring your authorization letter, you will be required to pay your consultation fee at the time of your visit. Please understand that as a patient, you are ultimately responsible for financial matters related to the medical services provided to you.

Length of Your Visit

Please allow 1-2 hours for your appointment. However, no two patient visits are exactly the same and your physician will spend as much time as needed to ensure appropriate assessment and understanding of your care. Please prepare for possible delays with the assurance that you, too will have the time you need with the doctor.

Medical Care

As our patient, you receive the finest in consultation assistance and surgery by UCLA faculty orthopaedics. Fellows and residents in Orthopaedic programs, nurses, and technicians may assist your doctor during your visit. These individuals have special training and skills that make them an important part of our patient care team.

Food Service

Santa Monica Practice:
There is a cafeteria in the Hospital and restaurants in Santa Monica area. If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia, you are welcome to bring snacks with you to your appointment.  

Westwood Practice:
There is a deli in our building, cafeteria in the Hospital and restaurants in Westwood Village. If you have diabetes or hypoglycemia, you are welcome to bring snacks with you to your appointment.

A Checklist for Your Visit

• The following list will help you remember items and information to bring with you when you:
• Medical records (consultation, operative, radiology reports)
• Names, addresses and telephone numbers of the doctor who referred you to Neurosurgery and any treating physicians
• Radiological films (CT, MRI, X-ray)
• UCLA registration number __________________

If applicable, please bring the following:

• Letter of authorization from your insurance carrier
• Insurance card(s)
• Completed patient questionnaires
• Other____________________________________

If you are unable to keep your appointment, please call your physician's office immediately to cancel or reschedule, (310) 319-1234.