Visit Types:

We have 2 main types of visits at our clinic, “New Patient Visits”, and “Follow-up Visits”. Additionally, your provider may refer you for a Neuropsychiatric testing visit, a visit for Neurodiagnostic testing, a visit with our Nurse Practitioner to complete disability paperwork or visit with our dedicated Clinical Pharmacist to discuss medications.

Based on what your clinician feels is most appropriate and your preferences (when feasible), your visits may be scheduled to be in-person or via telehealth (zoom).

Important Tips:

1. It is important that we have the correct health insurance information on file for you. Please update us if your insurance changes and please bring a copy of your insurance card to your visit. You can also update your insurance information by calling the clinic or on MyChart.
2. Regardless of the type of visit you are having, you may want to consider having a care partner attend your appointment with you to support your during a visit, help take notes, or remind you of questions you may want to ask.

New Patient Visits, Requirements, and Scheduling:

We appreciate that many of the patients coming to our clinic are seeking our expertise to get answers after a challenging time seeking a diagnosis or the correct diagnosis, or they come to our center in search of better treatment and management. With that in mind, we work hard to process new patient referrals as efficiently as possible. Typically, without delays with insurnace authorization, this process takes about 2 weeks.

Once your referral has been reviewed and accepted, the New Patient Coordinator will reach out to you by phone and/or with a MyChart message to notify you.

New patient appointments are an extended visit with a provider. The availability of new patient appointments does vary by provider. We are committed to seeing you as soon as we can.  In general, new patient appointments with Fellows and new patient video appointments have sooner availability.

You can speak to the New Patient Coordinator by calling: 415-353-2069, option 3.

Important Forms to Be Completed in Advance of Your First Visit: 

1. UCSF New Patient Intake Questionnaire: Please fill out the intake questionnaire and attach or send a completed version back to our clinic via MyChart or email ([email protected]) prior to your appointment.
2. Record Release: Many times, patients have family members or caretakers that are actively involved in their care.  If you would like your family member or caretaker to have access to your health management information (including having the ability to schedule appointments), you will need to complete a Release of Information form.  Please also fill out a Release of Information form if there is another doctor, who is NOT your primary care provider or referring provider, that you would like grant access to medical records. 

Additional Requirements: 

1. We want your appointment to be as beneficial and informative as possible. Please be sure to mail or hand carry all MRI (brain/spine) on a disc and any additional medical records.
2. In an effort to protect your privacy and to offer secure communication with the MS clinic at UCSF, we will be primarily using MyChart to communicate with patients. We encourage you to use MyChart for any non-urgent clinical questions or concerns. You may also reach us via telephone at (415) 353-2069. 

Please log into MyChart or sign up for a new account by going to: https://www.ucsfhealth.org/ucsfmychart/ 

*Please note, the [email protected] is only used to collect New Patient Questionnaires and is not monitored for other patient communication. If you send messages using this email account, you may not receive a timely response. 

On the day of your new patient visit: We ask that you arrive at 15 minutes prior to the appointment time to allow enough time for check in, vitals assessment, and any additional paperwork.   

Follow-up Visits and How to Schedule:

All visits with your provider at our clinic are considered follow-up appointments unless otherwise specified.

We request that you arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time to allow enough time for check in, vitals assessment, and any additional paperwork

To Schedule a Follow-up Visit:

• Use MyChart to request an appointment. This is the recommended method for requesting a non-urgent follow-up appointment
• Call the clinic to schedule an appointment at 415-353-2069, option 4.

Zoom Appointments:

• For a zoom or telehealth appointment you will need a charged computer, smartphone, or tablet available with attached/integrated camera and a stable internet connection

Prior to a Zoom Clinic Visit: 

• UCSF will send you detailed instructions prior to your visit. Please read these instructions carefully.
• You must go to our website to setup and test your device: https://videovisit.ucsf.edu/
• As with an in-person visit, for your zoom appointment, be sure to have:
  • Your list of current medications
  • Your list of questions and/or notes about important information you want to discuss with your provider. 
    • To make the most out of your visit with your doctor, we encourage you to think about your most important questions and write them down ahead of time.

Sample Instructions for Joining a Zoom Visit:

• If you are using your smartphone or other mobile device, open the Zoom app, click "Join a Meeting" and enter Provider's meeting ID number from above. Enter your first and last name and tap “Join.”
• If you are using your computer, go to https://zoom.us/join and enter the provider's meeting ID number from above. Make sure to enter your first and last name if prompted.
• Follow the prompts to turn on your video. You will be placed in a virtual waiting room until the provider admits you.
• You must connect to audio once you are admitted.
  • If prompted on a mobile device, select "use Internet Audio".  
  • On a computer, click "Join with Computer Audio".
  • If you are not prompted, click "Join Audio" to connect.
• By accepting this invitation, you consent to hold this visit by video.
  •  A video visit is billed in the same way as an in-person clinic visit.
  • The terms of your deductible and copay still apply.
  • You always have the option to request an in-person appointment instead of, or following, a video visit.

Rescheduling:

If you need to reschedule an appointment, please give us at least 72 business hours notice before your scheduled appointment. To reschedule your appointment, please give us at least 72 business hours notice. You may request to reschedule an appointment through MyChart or by calling: (415) 353-2069

Late & Cancellation Policy:

Out of respect for your fellow patients, if you arrive 15 minutes AFTER your scheduled appointment time, the doctor may ask to reschedule your appointment, or you may experience a significant delay in being seen.   

If you anticipate being late on the day of your appointment due to unforeseen circumstances, please let us know as soon as possible so we can advise if you will be able to be seen or would need to reschedule your appointment.  Please call: 415-353-2069.

Cancellation Policy:

If it is necessary to cancel or reschedule your appointment, please give us at least 72 business hours’ notice. Available appointments are in high demand and your early cancellation will give another patient the opportunity to have access to timely care. Any notice less than 72 business hours will be considered as NO SHOW. If you have two or more no shows to an appointment, we will not reschedule your appointment.