How do I prepare for my first medication management visit?

Please note the following important details:

• For children under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian is required to be present during the appointment. If this will be difficult, please speak with Dr. Ella about it prior to the follow-up visit. First half of the visit is with the child, second half is usually with the child and a parent.

• Medication INVENTORY must be done PRIOR to the appointment, so that your doctor knows how much medication to send to the pharmacy DURING an appointment.

• Things that are important to mention DURING an appointment:

  -If you need a refill

  -If you need to change the pharmacy

  -If you are experiencing adverse effects

  -If you have a problem with getting your medications ontime systematically

• AUTOMATIC REFILL REQUESTS FROM PHARMACIES VIA FAX OR PATIENT PORTAL ARE NOT HONORED, since they contain a lot of erroneous, outdated information, that creates a lot of room for errors. Every medication request has to be discussed directly between patient and doctor FIRST.

• Medication management appointments are designed to last under 30 minutes.

• If you feel you need a longer session, please inform Dr. Ella in advance — extended appointments of 45, 50, and 60 minutes are available upon request.

• For virtual appointments, patients should provide an updated height and weight, and if possible, blood pressure and pulse readings (disregard this for blind weight patients).

• Dr. Ella will let you know when she recommends scheduling your next follow-up visit. If you feel the follow-up is too soon or too far out, please share your concerns during the appointment. Prescriptions will be written to last until the follow-up date you and Dr. Ella agree upon.