Checking in for your appointment?
Look for the self-check-in kiosks available in many of our reception areas. They're fast, easy to use, and will save you time!
This page provides helpful information to help you prepare for your first appointment.
- Medical records
- Referrals
- Translator/interpreter services
- New-patient information brochures
- Directions and parking information
- When to arrive and what to bring
- What is your name and date of birth?
- Medical scribes
Medical records
Before your first visit, please forward to us:
- Any appropriate medical records or X-rays
- A record of your immunization history
For more information, see the "Have your medical record sent to us" section on our Medical Records and Release Forms web page.
Referrals
Some health insurance policies require that you have a referral from your family doctor (primary care provider, or PCP) to make an appointment for specialty care. Please review your health insurance coverage before calling for an appointment.
Also, some departments require that you be referred to them by a physician. See Referrals and Precertifications for more information.
Translator/interpreter services
If you need a translator/interpreter during your medical appointment, please notify the department's appointment secretary when you make your appointment. For more information, see Interpreting.
New patient information brochures
We offer informational brochures for new patients. Take a moment to read through the one for your location to take full advantage of all that these practices have to offer.
- Dartmouth Health Children's brochure (PDF)
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Concord brochure (PDF)
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Manchester/Bedford brochure (PDF)
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Clinics Nashua brochure (PDF)
- Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center brochure (PDF)
Manage your health care with myDH!
- Communicate securely with your health care providers
- Schedule, request, or change appointments
- Request prescription renewals
- View your account and make payments online
- Review your medical record, and more
Directions and parking information
To get directions to your appointment, please see our Locations and Directions web page.
For appointments at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) in Lebanon, please also see Parking, Transportation, and Maps. This page provides information on parking assistance, wheelchairs, and floor maps. It also provides contact information for taxis and buses.
When to arrive and what to bring
Please arrive 15 minutes before your appointment to allow enough time for registration.
Please bring to your appointment:
- Complete insurance information, including insurance cards
- A referral form from your family doctor (primary care provider, or PCP), if your insurer requires you to have one to see a specialist. See Referrals and Precertifications for more information.
If your health plan requires a co-payment, we will collect it during registration.
What is your name and date of birth?
Patient safety is our top priority. All of our practices have implemented a policy to ensure the accuracy of patient identification prior to any services that we provide. How can we tell it's really you?
We will be asking for your name and date of birth throughout your visit. We ask this of every patient we encounter, every time, to ensure you receive safe, accurate, and quality care. Thank you for your cooperation, and for choosing us.
Medical scribes
You may have a medical scribe at your appointment. Scribes assist with tasks that allow your doctor to focus on you and spend less time on the computer.
What does a scribe do?
- Gathers information about your medical history before your visit starts.
- Provides other support to your doctor if needed, such as coordinating other appointments.
- Takes notes in your electronic medical record as you and your doctor talk about your health. This allows your doctor to devote his or her full attention to your questions and concerns.
Who is a medical scribe?
A medical scribe is often someone who is studying to become a doctor or other health care provider. Being a scribe is a way to gather pre-medical experience.
Because of their training, the scribe is comfortable with medical terms. The scribe continues to learn about clinical medicine every day.
Your safety and privacy is important
Our scribes follow the same privacy rules as all our staff.
They follow the rules of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is the federal law that ensures the privacy and protection of patient health information.
Your doctor reviews the scribe’s notes in your medical record to make sure they are accurate.