New Patient Visit
A new patient visit is an initial comprehensive appointment for patients who have not been seen at a practice within the past three years, involving a detailed medical history, examination, and care plan development.
Definition
A new patient visit is an initial comprehensive appointment for patients who have not been seen at a practice within the past three years, involving a detailed medical history, examination, and care plan development.
In-Depth
What You Need to Know
New patient visits are more comprehensive and longer than established patient visits — typically 45-60 minutes versus 15-20 minutes. The visit includes a detailed medical history (past medical/surgical history, family history, social history, medications, allergies), review of systems, comprehensive physical examination, assessment and plan, and establishment of care continuity. New patient visits are billed under CPT codes 99202-99205 (based on complexity), which reimburse at higher rates than established patient codes. Patients should bring insurance cards, photo ID, completed paperwork (often available online), medication list, prior medical records or specialist reports, and any relevant imaging. Many practices allow online registration and portal access before the visit to streamline paperwork. New patient availability is a key metric for practices, and AI receptionists can significantly improve new patient capture rates.
Calls & Questions
What Patients Ask
Common phone questions about new patient visit — and how Front Desk handles scheduling and call routing automatically.
Common Patient Questions
- 1What should I bring to my first appointment?
- 2How long is a new patient visit?
- 3Do you accept new patients?
- 4Can I fill out paperwork before my visit?
How Front Desk Helps Your Practice
Front Desk explains new patient visit expectations, provides a checklist of items to bring, offers online registration links, checks new patient availability, and schedules appropriately longer appointment slots — so your practice never misses a new patient.
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FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about new patient visit.
A new patient visit is an initial comprehensive appointment for patients who have not been seen at a practice within the past three years, involving a detailed medical history, examination, and care plan development. New patient visits are more comprehensive and longer than established patient visits — typically 45-60 minutes versus 15-20 minutes. The visit includes a detailed medical history (past medical/surgical history, family history, social history, medications, allergies), review of systems, comprehensive physical examination, assessment and plan, and establishment of care continuity.
Your medical provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk explains new patient visit expectations, provides a checklist of items to bring, offers online registration links, checks new patient availability, and schedules appropriately longer appointment slots — so your practice never misses a new patient.
Your medical provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk explains new patient visit expectations, provides a checklist of items to bring, offers online registration links, checks new patient availability, and schedules appropriately longer appointment slots — so your practice never misses a new patient.
Your medical provider can answer this during your appointment. Front Desk explains new patient visit expectations, provides a checklist of items to bring, offers online registration links, checks new patient availability, and schedules appropriately longer appointment slots — so your practice never misses a new patient.
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