Your Nephrology Visit at UPMC

If you need kidney care, the UPMC nephrology team can provide expert diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing monitoring. Whether you have an acute or chronic condition, our nephrologists will work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your care needs and reflects your goals, preferences, and lifestyle.

How Do I Prepare for My First Nephrology Visit?

To prepare for your visit, you will be asked to provide:

• Name, address, and contact phone number.
• Insurance information.
• Relevant medical records and test results.
• A referral, if required by your health insurance company.

If you get a referral from your primary care doctor or another physician, they may be able to provide your test results and medical records to our team.

What Do I Need to Bring to My First Nephrology Appointment?

On the day of your appointment, you should arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

You should bring:

• A list of your medications.
• Completed new patient paperwork, if needed.
• Your health insurance card(s).
• Your photo ID.

What if I need to cancel my nephrology appointment?

If you need to cancel your appointment, please call our office as soon as possible. We request at least 24 hours' notice for all cancellations.

What Will Happen at My First Nephrology Visit?

When you arrive for your first appointment, you'll meet with a doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant. They will ask about your medical history and perform an exam.

Your care team may:

• Order imaging or other tests to learn more about your condition.
• Prescribe or recommend medication to help you manage your symptoms.
• Provide in-office care.
• Provide instructions for managing your condition at home.
• Refer you to another care provider, such as a registered dietitian or a urologist.
• Schedule a procedure in the office or the hospital.

When will I get my test results?

Your care team will let you know when your test results will be ready.

After our experts have your test results, health records, and exam information, they will diagnose your condition. They may schedule a follow-up visit to review your results and explain your treatment options.

Together, you and your health care provider will design and agree on a care plan.

After Your Visit

Our team will schedule follow-up appointments to check how your treatment is working.

You should contact our office if:

• You have questions about your treatment plan or medications.
• Your symptoms get worse or do not improve as expected.
• You have any other concerns about your condition.

Nephrology Insurance and Billing

UPMC accepts many health insurance plans. We ask that you check with your health plan if you have questions about your coverage for doctor’s visits, hospital stays, diagnostic tests, or medical procedures. You are responsible for paying any non-covered charges.

If you have an insurance co-pay for office visits, you will be asked to pay it at the time of your visit.

Common forms of payment we accept are:

• Cash or check.
• MasterCard, Visa, Discover, and American Express.
• Flexible spending cards.
• Health care savings account cards.
• Debit cards.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24 by Rajesh Govindasamy, MD.