Appointment Checklist: What To Expect Before, During and After Your Visit
From before your visit to after, we’re here to help you stay organized, understand the process, and make the most of your time with your provider while knowing what to expect.
Before Your Appointment
Meeting a new healthcare provider for the first time can feel overwhelming. What should you bring? What should you do ahead of time? Don’t worry — we’ve got you covered. Use this checklist to feel more prepared and confident before your visit.
What to bring
Most of it comes down to paperwork. If you’ve received care at any Cleveland Clinic location, your information will already be in MyChart. If not, be sure to bring:
- Copies of any test results, imaging (like X-rays) or medical records related to your current concerns
- A completed medical history form if your provider asked for one
- A full list of your current medications — including prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements
- Any special instructions your doctor gave you, like diet or medication restrictions
A few extras to consider
Think about bringing a support person, especially if you’re expecting important news or may need a ride home. And pack a sweater or jacket — we keep our buildings cool to protect sensitive medical equipment.
During Your Appointment
Your time with your provider is all about you. Our team wants to make sure you feel heard and understood at every step.
Speak up
To make the most of your visit, talk openly about what’s going on. Share your symptoms and concerns — nothing is too big or small. And don’t hesitate to ask questions.
If something isn’t clear, ask your provider to slow down or explain it in another way. You can also request an interpreter if you need one.
Less note-taking, more connecting
At the start of your visit, your provider may ask if it’s OK to use a secure app called AI Scribe®. This tool listens to your conversation and creates a draft note for your provider to review and complete afterward. You’ll be able to view the note in MyChart.
AI Scribe helps your provider spend more time with you and less time typing. Your information is always protected — nothing is saved on the phone, and the recording is deleted automatically after 60 days.
After Your Appointment
You’ll leave with a visit summary and clear instructions from your provider about next steps. If you need tests or a follow-up with another provider, we’ll help you get those scheduled as quickly and conveniently as possible. You can also review this information anytime in MyChart.
If surgery or a hospital stay is part of your care plan, we’ll handle the details and make sure the hospital team is ready for you.
Text Appointment Reminders
Keeping track of appointments can be tricky, but we’re here to help. Here’s how Cleveland Clinic makes sure you or your loved ones never miss an important visit.
How they work
Would you like to receive text appointment reminders for you or another member of your family? Text reminders are available for appointments at:
- Cleveland Clinic Main Campus
- Cleveland Clinic family health centers
- Cleveland Clinic Florida
- Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Las Vegas
- Remote medical practices
We send these handy reminders in the morning the day before the scheduled appointment. If you have multiple appointments scheduled on the same day, you’ll receive separate text reminders for each appointment.
Simply send a reply text that says “Yes,” to confirm or “No,” to cancel. If you reply, “No,” we cancel your visit and open that time up for another patient.
Here’s what the text will look like:
Cleveland Clinic: Eric has an appt at Main Location, desk A71, Wed Jun 25 @ 9:30A.
To confirm, txt YES. To decline, txt NO.
Txt Help 4help.
It may take up to six hours for our system to confirm your text appointment cancellation. If you cancel an appointment by mistake, please allow up to six hours before calling 216.444.2273 or 800.223.2273 to reschedule.
Getting started
It’s easy to start receiving text appointment reminders. First, verify if your cell phone number is registered in our system by calling a Cleveland Clinic appointment representative at 216.444.2273. Your preferred mobile phone number must be registered as a home or mobile number in your and/or your child’s medical records.
To enroll in text reminders on your phone:
- Text “4clinictxt” to 622622. Message and data rates may apply, according to your mobile carrier.
- You’ll receive a confirmation text once you’re enrolled.
- If you no longer wish to receive text reminders, text STOP to 622622.
You can also talk with your provider’s office or register and enroll for text reminders in MyChart.
AppointmentPass®
AppointmentPass kiosks are self-service check-in stations available at Cleveland Clinic locations. They allow you to quickly check in for your appointment by scanning your barcode or entering your information. This streamlined process helps reduce wait times and ensures your visit runs smoothly. Check-in will take only a few minutes.
You’ll find AppointmentPass kiosks in the main lobby or patient waiting areas at Cleveland Clinic locations that offer this service. An attendant is available to help if you need assistance.
How to check in
- Arrive on time: It’s a good idea to get to your appointment about 15 minutes early. You can check in at the kiosk up to 90 minutes before and 10 minutes after your scheduled visit.
- Enter your information manually: Provide your name, date of birth and ZIP code.
- Scan your barcode: You get this from your scheduling confirmation email. You can print it ahead of time or scan it directly from your phone.
- Provide your insurance information: The kiosk will prompt you to capture an image of your insurance card and photo ID using the built-in camera. You’ll need to do this the first time you use the kiosk and then once every 90 days
- Pay your co-pay if needed: Use Visa®, MasterCard®, Amex®, Discover®, FSA, HRA or HSA cards right at the kiosk. If you prefer to pay with cash or check, you’ll be directed to the front desk.
- Complete a health questionnaire, if needed: The kiosk will guide you to the front desk after check-in. If you’ve already completed it at home, it will take you straight to your department’s waiting area.
What else you should know
AppointmentPass is secure. Your barcode is generated through a protected website, and the information you enter stays safely on Cleveland Clinic’s network. Using the kiosk also helps keep your personal information private, so you don’t have to discuss sensitive details in a crowded waiting room.
If the kiosk isn’t available, you can check in at the department desk or the centralized check-in desk at some locations. Certain situations — such as updating personal or insurance information or talking to our billing team — will also require front-desk check-in.
You can use AppointmentPass if you have appointments within an hour of each other at the same location. For appointments further apart, simply check in again at the kiosk or the department desk.
If you have questions or need more information, call Customer Service at 216.445.6249 or 866.621.6385 (toll-free).
Terms and conditions for AppointmentPass®
For all medical emergencies, immediately dial 911. Do not use this convenience tool to communicate medical emergencies.
“Individual” means the patient who has opted to enroll in the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program. The use of the words “we,” “our” and “Cleveland Clinic” mean The Cleveland Clinic Foundation and its affiliates.
Individual’s unique AppointmentPass will contain certain appointment information and will be sent as an attachment to an unencrypted email. Sending information via an unencrypted email means there is a risk that the information in the email and Individual’s unique AppointmentPass could potentially be read by a third party when it is sent through the internet. By signing up for the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass program, Individual understands and agrees to receive communications containing Individual’s limited appointment information, including Individual’s unique AppointmentPass, to the most recent email address provided to Cleveland Clinic at the time of registration or by contacting Cleveland Clinic appointment center at 216.444.2273.
The Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program is a private method of checking into Individual’s appointment at a kiosk by either scanning the barcoded AppointmentPass emailed to Individual at the time of scheduling the appointment or validating certain personal information at the kiosk.
Individual may receive unique AppointmentPasses and, from time to time, important email notices and messages, from Cleveland Clinic at the email address provided to Cleveland Clinic. Individual therefore MUST verify and update Individual’s email address at the time of registration or by contacting Cleveland Clinic Appointment Center at 216.444.2273 to ensure that Individual receives AppointmentPasses and general notices in a timely and accurate manner. Cleveland Clinic is not responsible for any damage resulting from Individual’s failure to verify and update Individual’s email and demographic information in a timely manner.
By accessing or using the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program, Individual agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Privacy Policy incorporated herein by reference to this link. It is important to review the Agreement and Privacy Policy periodically as we may modify this Agreement and the Privacy Policy at any time, and Individual agrees that such modifications are effective and binding to Individual immediately upon the posting of the modified version.
Individual agrees that the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program, including its kiosks at certain Cleveland Clinic locations, is a service offered only as a convenience to Cleveland Clinic patients. Individual understands that Individual is solely responsible for any sharing of the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program content that Individual intentionally or unintentionally communicates to others, through any means or devices. INDIVIDUAL HEREBY ASSUMES THE SOLE LIABILITY IN USING THE CLEVELAND CLINIC APPOINTMENTPASS PROGRAM.
Individual can discontinue use of the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program at any time by contacting Cleveland Clinic Appointment Center at 216.444.2273 or by clicking the opt-out link in the AppointmentPass email.
Cleveland Clinic reserves the right, at its sole discretion and without notification, to suspend or discontinue Individual’s use of this service and to discontinue the general use of the service itself.
INDIVIDUAL AGREES AND INTENDS THAT CLEVELAND CLINIC SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR, AND SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR, ANY DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM, OR ANY ACTIONS CLEVELAND CLINIC TAKES THAT RESULT FROM INDIVIDUAL’S USE OF THE APPOINTMENT PASS PROGRAM AND INDIVIDUAL AGREES TO HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND CLEVELAND CLINIC FROM ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM SUCH USE OR DIRECTIONS UPON WHICH CLEVELAND CLINIC RELIES, AND FURTHER, WAIVES ALL LIABILITY OF CLEVELAND CLINIC ASSOCIATED WITH SUCH USE OF THE APPOINTMENTPASS PROGRAM BY INDIVIDUAL.
When using the Cleveland Clinic AppointmentPass Program, information will be transmitted over a medium that is beyond the control of the Cleveland Clinic and its contractors. INDIVIDUAL HEREBY EXPRESSLY ASSUMES THE SOLE RISK OF ANY UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS AND/OR DISCLOSURE OR INTENTIONAL INTRUSION, OR OF ANY DELAY, FAILURE, INTERRUPTION, OR CORRUPTION OF DATA OR OTHER INFORMATION TRANSMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OF THIS SERVICE AND AGREES THAT THE CLEVELAND CLINIC APPOINTMENTPASS PROGRAM IS NOT ERROR-FREE.
In the event that this Web site contains links to Web sites operated by other parties, the links are provided for Individual’s convenience only. Cleveland Clinic does not control such Web sites and Cleveland Clinic is not responsible for the content and performance of these sites. The inclusion of links to other Web sites does not imply any endorsement of the material on the Web sites or any association with their operators. Cleveland Clinic does not operate, control or endorse any information, products or services provided by third parties through the Internet. Use of other sites is strictly at Individual’s own risk, including, but not limited to, any risks associated with destructive viruses. Individual is responsible for viewing and abiding by the terms and conditions of use and the privacy statements of the other Web sites.
This site, the AppointmentPass Program, and all other sites hosted by Cleveland Clinic and the content contained herein and therein are provided by Cleveland Clinic on an “as is” basis and Individual accesses and uses the AppointmentPass Program at Individual’s own risk. Cleveland Clinic makes no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the operation of its sites, or the content, products and/or services included therein. To the fullest extent permissible by applicable law, Cleveland Clinic disclaims all warranties, express, or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Individual agrees that the law applicable to any claim or dispute relating to AppointmentPass or Individual’s reliance on AppointmentPass and all activity and any dispute that might arise between Individual and Cleveland Clinic, its doctors, nurses, staff or other affiliates hereunder, regardless of where the Individual resides, shall be determined by where the Individual primarily receives medical care at a Cleveland Clinic site; accordingly, the following law shall apply, without regard to the particular state’s conflict of laws provision: If in Ohio, Ohio law shall apply, subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the local, state or federal courts located in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. If in Nevada, Nevada law shall apply, subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the local, state or federal courts located in Clark County, Nevada. If in Florida, Florida law shall apply, subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the local, state or federal courts located in Broward County, Florida.
AppointmentPass is a trademark owned by Cleveland Clinic.
Admissions
Your healthcare provider may recommend that you be admitted to Cleveland Clinic. If so, you may have questions about what to expect.
Our Admissions page has the information you need to help make your stay as smooth and comfortable as possible. Learn more by checking our our Visitor Information section.
