Preparing for your appointment
A little preparation can help your first appointment go smoothly. Review what to expect, how to access your visit, and important information before your appointment.
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Make the most of your first visit.
Before your appointment, take a few minutes to prepare. These simple steps can help your visit start on time and allow you to focus on what matters most: your care.
Choose a Private Space
Find a quiet, comfortable location where you can speak openly without interruptions or distractions.
Test Your Technology
Use a reliable internet connection and make sure your camera, microphone, and speakers are working before your appointment.
Complete Requested Forms
Check your email and patient portal for any intake forms, questionnaires, or documents that should be completed before your visit.
Log In a Few Minutes Early
Plan to join your appointment 5 to 10 minutes before the scheduled time so you have time to resolve any access or technical issues.
Prepare What You Want to Discuss
Consider your goals, recent concerns, medications, questions, or anything you want your provider to understand during the appointment.
Know How to Get Help
If you have trouble accessing your appointment or need to make a change, contact live support before your scheduled visit.
Step 1: Set Up Your Patient Portal
Access your care in one secure place.
Watch the Setup Guide
Your patient portal gives you secure access to important appointment details, forms, messages, and visit information. Before your first appointment, watch this short video below and follow the instructions in your setup email to activate your account.
Step 2: Complete your intake documents.
Before your first appointment, be sure to complete all required intake documents. These forms help your provider prepare for your visit and ensure your appointment can proceed as scheduled. We'll send an email with a link to your required forms. You can also access and complete them through your patient portal using the instructions in the setup video.
Step 3: Add A Preferred Payment Method
Have a copay? Add a card securely in your portal.
Watch the Payment Setup Guide
Before your first appointment, we recommend adding a payment method in your patient portal if you may have copays, coinsurance, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket responsibilities associated with your care. Watch this short video for step-by-step instructions on securely adding and managing your payment information.
Active Duty Service Members or their beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Prime and Veterans receiving care through VA Community Care do not require any payment method on file.
Step 4: Join Your Session and Schedule Your Next Appointment
You're ready for your first appointment. Before each visit, you’ll receive an email and text with a secure link to join your session. You can also access your appointment directly through your patient portal. If you need help joining your session, review the Getting Started video at the top of this page for step-by-step instructions on accessing appointments through the patient portal. At the end of your visit, we recommend scheduling your next appointment with your provider to help maintain continuity of care and stay on track with your treatment goals.
Need assistance?
Get help.
Preparing for your appointment should be simple. If you have questions about your patient portal, intake forms, appointment access, insurance coverage, billing, or technical issues, our team is here to help. Reach out before your appointment and we'll make sure you have everything you need for a successful visit.
Live support available Monday-Friday, 9am-8pm Eastern Time. Online anytime.