New Patient Paperwork
For your convenience, NWOS patients will receive a digital pre-visit registration link prior to your appointment that will contain all of your new patient paperwork. You will also be able to upload copies of your photo ID and insurance card, as well as pay any necessary co-payments. Please complete this registration prior to checking in for your appointment.
What to Expect
We want you to feel as comfortable as possible when you arrive. After checking in at the front desk, you will be directed to your provider's reception area and called back to an exam room for your appointment. During your visit, you may see:
- Nurses
- Medical Assistants
- X-Ray Technicians
- Physician Assistants
- Your Doctor/Surgeon
If surgery is required, you will visit with:
- Surgery Scheduling
- Billing and Insurance
During checkout, your provider's scheduler will help you schedule:
- Follow-up clinic appointments
- MRI (if needed)
- Physical Therapy (if needed)
Let us know if there is anything we can do to further improve your experience with us at Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists. We look forward to meeting with you.
Additional Items to Bring
List of all current medications
Bring a current list of all your medications, including the name of the medication, dosage, the frequency you take the medication, and the reason for the medication. This list should include prescribed medications, herbal supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications you are taking as well as any medications you are allergic to. We recommend having this record with you as you may need to access this information during your appointment.
Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists, PS, complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Medical information on your injury or condition
All medical records, imaging (X-ray, MRI), and lab test results for your current injury or condition should be carried in or faxed from your primary care provider. 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 pertaining to your injury or condition. You can request that your records be sent directly to our office, but please confirm that we have received them prior to your appointment.
Maintenance of your medical history, including all prior treatments, surgeries, conditions, and illnesses, even if they are not related to your current injury or condition, is always recommended. Have this record with you as you may need to access this information during your appointment.
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. Please note that the information in your personal document will not be used as a substitute for any official forms you will be asked to complete prior to your appointment.
Click to view information that you may want to include in your personal injury or condition documentation.
Emergency contact information
An emergency contact list is a document you should have ready and keep updated regularly. Having this list with you at your appointment may help you when completing the required paperwork.
Before Your Appointment
Compile a list of questions for your provider
We recommend that you compile a written list of all questions and concerns that you want to address during your time in our office. During your appointment, we encourage you to take notes and ask questions if you need more information or do not understand a policy, procedure, medical term, reason for your doctor's diagnosis, treatment plan, recommendations, medication instructions, or post-appointment instructions. If you need additional information to take with you, your doctor can provide handouts, brochures, or online resources for you to review at home.
Verify your appointment date, time, and location
The time you should arrive at the office for your appointment is different than your scheduled appointment time. You may be required to complete new patient paperwork or provide personal identification and insurance information prior to being seen by your doctor. Because of this, 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.
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. Become aware of any driving conditions, road construction detours, delays, and/or parking requirements and locations that may present a delay in your arrival, and plan accordingly.
Wear comfortable clothing
We recommend that you dress in comfortable clothing appropriate for your appointment. If your injury or condition involves your neck, back, spine, shoulder, or hip, you may be asked to change into a medical robe for your examination. We recommend wearing loose clothing that is easy to take off and put on.
In addition, your doctor may request an X-ray during your visit. Prior to your X-ray, you may be asked to remove jewelry, eyeglasses, and any other metal objects, such as loose change, hearing aids, underwire bras, fingernail clippers, etc., that may interfere with the imaging. Depending on the area of the body that is being X-rayed, you may be asked to change into a medical gown.
Know you may see a physicians assistant
There may be instances when you are seen by one of our physician assistants. At Northwest Orthopaedic Specialists, our physician assistants (PAs) work closely with our orthopedic doctors to provide the highest level of surgical and nonsurgical care for patients. Physician assistants are highly trained and qualified healthcare providers who work under the supervision of our orthopedic doctors to take medical histories, conduct exams, diagnose and treat bone, joint, and muscle injuries and conditions, order and interpret tests such as X-rays and MRI, prescribe medications and assist our doctors during surgery. Our PAs are trained to recognize when patients need the attention of a supervising doctor or additional specialist.
Expect possible wait times
Personalized care doesn't always follow definitive time schedules, and we appreciate your understanding and patience if we keep you waiting longer than you expected. In some cases, patients require special attention, or your provider may be asked to assess a serious injury. Be assured that your doctor will make every effort to see you as soon as possible.