Plan for your visit
A trip to the doctor or the hospital can bring up a lot of questions. What will it cost? What should I bring? Where do I go when I get there?
We want you to feel ready. This guide shows you how to prepare for your visit, from checking your insurance to what happens after you go home.
Know your costs before you come
Knowing what to expect can take some of the worry out of paying for care.
Check your insurance
Care from a provider in your insurance plan’s network usually costs you less. Before your visit, confirm your coverage is on our list of accepted insurance plans.
You can also call the member services number on the back of your insurance card. Ask:
- Is Lakeland Regional Health in my network?
- Is the doctor or service I need covered?
- Do I need a referral or approval before my visit?
Get a cost estimate
Use our online tool to get an estimate of what your care may cost. An estimate is our best guess based on the care you’re expected to get. Your final bill may be different if your care changes or you need more services.
A few insurance terms can help you understand your estimate:
- Deductible: The amount you pay for care each year before your insurance starts to pay.
- Copay: A set amount you pay for a visit or service, such as $30 for a doctor’s visit.
- Coinsurance: Your share of the cost after you meet your deductible. For example, you might pay 20% and your plan pays the rest.
Get help paying for your care
If you’re worried about paying for care, you’re not alone.
We help people who:
- Don’t have health insurance.
- Have insurance that doesn’t cover enough of their care.
- Have a medical bill that’s hard to pay.
Our team can talk with you about:
- Financial assistance, which may lower the cost of your care.
- Payment plans that let you pay over time.
- Other programs in our community. We work with government and private groups to help you find support.
It’s never too early to ask. You can reach out before your visit, during your care or after you get a bill. Learn more about financial assistance programs and all of our Patient Financial Services.
Save time with online check-in
Spend less time on paperwork when you arrive. Use the patient portal to complete registration and check in before your visit.
Depending on your visit, you may be able to update your contact and insurance information or fill out forms ahead of time.
What to bring to your appointment
Use this checklist so you don’t forget anything:
- Photo ID
- Insurance card
- A list of your medicines, including vitamins and supplements, and how much you take
- A list of any allergies
- Names and phone numbers of your other doctors
- Any referral forms, test results or papers your provider asked for
- A way to pay your copay, if you have one
- Your questions for your provider
- A copy of your advance directive or health care power of attorney, if you have one
Leave at home: Jewelry, large amounts of cash and other valuables.
Get ready for your type of visit
Your provider may give you more detailed instructions. Always follow those first. Here are some general tips.
Checkup or doctor’s visit
- Arrive early to give yourself time to check in.
- Write down your questions before you come.
- Tell your provider about any changes in your health or medicines.
Lab work or imaging
- Ask if you need to stop eating or drinking before your test.
- Ask if you should skip any medicines. Don’t stop a medicine unless your provider tells you to.
- For imaging tests, wear comfortable clothes without metal, such as zippers or snaps.
Surgery or procedure
- Follow your instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
- Ask which medicines to take or stop before your surgery.
- Plan for a trusted adult to drive you home.
- Line up help at home for the first few days, if you need it.
Hospital stay
- Pack a few comfort items, such as glasses, hearing aids, a phone charger and comfortable clothes.
- Choose a support person who can help you talk with your care team.
- Start thinking about the help you’ll need at home after you leave.
Your child’s visit
- Talk with your child about what will happen, using simple and honest words.
- Bring a favorite toy, blanket or book.
- Bring your child’s vaccine records and a list of their medicines.
On the day of your visit
Finding your way. Our Medical Center campus is large, so give yourself extra time to arrive, park and find your location.
Visitors. Check our visitor guidelines before you bring family or friends.
After your visit
Check your patient portal. You can see test results, read visit notes and send messages to your care team via the portal.
Plan your follow-up care. Before you leave, ask if you need another visit and schedule it if you can.
What about emergencies?
You can’t always plan for an emergency, and that’s OK. If you think you or someone you love has a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
It helps to know ahead of time where you would go. Lakeland Regional Health offers emergency care for adults of all ages, children and pregnant patients.
Frequently asked questions
What should I bring to my appointment?
Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of your medicines and allergies, and any papers your provider asked for. See the full checklist above.
How do I get a cost estimate?
Use our online estimate tool or call a financial services representative at 863-687-1199.
Does Lakeland Regional Health take my insurance?
Check our list of accepted insurance plans. You can also call the number on the back of your insurance card to confirm.
Can I get help paying my hospital bill?
Yes. We offer financial assistance, self-pay discounts and payment plans. Call 863-687-1199 or learn more about financial assistance.
