Making a Doctors Appointment - ESL Dialogue

Making a Doctor's Appointment - ESL Dialogue Read the following dialogue with a partner to learn important vocabulary used for making doctors appointments. Practice this dialogue with a friend to help you feel confident when you next make an appointment in English. Check your understanding with the quiz and review vocabulary.   Role Play: Making a Doctors Appointment Doctors Assistant: Good morning, Doctor Jensens office. How may I help you?Patient: Hello, Id like to make an appointment to see Doctor Jensen, please. Doctors Assistant:  Have you been in to see Doctor Jensen before?Patient: Yes, I have. I had a physical last year. Doctors Assistant:  Fine, what is your name?Patient:  Maria Sanchez. Doctors Assistant:  Thank you, Ms. Sanchez, let me pull up your file... Okay, Ive located your information. Whats the reason for your making an appointment?Patient: I havent been feeling very well lately. Doctors Assistant:  Do you need urgent care?Patient: No, not necessarily, but Id like to see the doctor soon. Doctors Assistant:   Of course, how about next Monday? Theres a slot available at 10 in the morning.Patient: Im afraid Im working at 10. Is there anything available after three? Doctors Assistant:  Let me see. Not on Monday, but we have a three oclock opening next Wednesday. Would you like to come in then?Patient: Yes, next Wednesday at three would be great. Doctors Assistant:   All right, Ill pencil you in for three oclock next Wednesday.Patient: Thank you for your help. Doctors Assistant: Youre welcome. Well see you next week. Goodbye.Patient: Goodbye. Key Making an Appointment Phrases Make an appointment: schedule a time to see the doctorHave you been in before?: used to ask if the patient has seen the doctor beforePhysical (examination:  yearly check-up to see if everything is okay.Pull up a file: find a patients informationNot feeling very well: feel ill or sickUrgent care: similar to an emergency room, but for everyday problemsA slot:  an available time to make an appointmentIs there anything open?:  used to check if there is an available time for an appointmentPencil someone in:  to schedule an appointment True or False? Decide whether the following statements are true or false:   Ms. Sanchez has never seen Doctor Jensen.Ms. Sanchez had a physical examination with Doctor Jensen last year.The doctors assistant already has the file open.Ms. Sanchez is feeling fine these days.Ms. Sanchez needs urgent care.She cant come in for a morning appointment.  Ms. Sanchez schedules an appointment for next week. Answers:   FalseTrueFalseFalseFalseTrueTrue Preparing for your Appointment Once youve made an appointment youll need to make sure youre prepared for your doctors visit. Here is a short overview of what youll need in the United States. Insurance / Medicaid / Medicare Card In the US doctors have medical billing specialists whose job it is to bill the correct insurance provider. There are many insurance providers in the US, so its essential to bring your insurance card. If you are over 65, you probably will need your Medicare card. Cash, Check or Credit/Debit Card to Pay for Co-payment Many insurance companies require a co-payment which represents a small portion of the total bill. Co-payments can be as little as $5 for some medicines, and as much as 20 percent  or more of larger bills. Make sure to check with your insurance provider for much information on co-payments in your individual insurance plan as these vary widely. Bring some form of payment to your appointment to take care of your co-pay. Medication List Its important for your doctor to know which medications you take. Bring a list of all medications that you currently take. Key Vocabulary Medical billing specialist:  (noun) a person who processes charges to insurance companiesInsurance provider:  (noun) company that insurances people for their health care needsMedicare:  (noun) a form of insurance in the US for people over 65Co-payment / co-pay:  (noun) partial payment of your medical billMedication:  (noun) medicine True or False? Co-payments are payments made by the insurance company to the doctor to pay for your medical appointments.Medical billing specialists will help you deal with insurance companies.Everyone in the US can take advantage of Medicare.Its a good idea to bring a list of your medications to a doctors appointment. Answers: False - patients are responsible for co-payments.True - medical billing specialists specialize in working with insurance companies.False - Medicare is national insurance for those over 65.True - its important for your doctor to know which medications you are taking.   If you need English for medical purposes you should know about troubling symptoms  and  joint pain,  as well as  pain that comes and goes.  If you work in a pharmacy, its a good idea to practice talking about  prescriptions.  All medical staff might be faced with a patient who is  feeling queasy  and how to  help  a patient.