Your Oshi Health virtual visit checklist

Medical visits can feel stressful, even when you know you need care. It’s common to worry about forgetting important details, not knowing what to ask, or feeling unsure about how to explain your symptoms—especially anything bathroom-related.

Virtual visits can take some of the pressure off. You’re already in your own space, which can make it easier to open up about your gut health. But even telehealth appointments can feel daunting sometimes, especially if it’s your first time talking to a particular provider.

A few minutes of prep can make your visit feel more efficient and your care more personalized. So, we created this quick step-by-step guide to help you feel prepared, confident, and supported going into your first Oshi Health virtual visit.

1. Confirm your insurance coverage

Before your appointment, take a moment to double-check your insurance coverage. This helps avoid billing surprises and lets you focus on your care during the visit. 

If you have any questions, our care coordinators are happy to help you confirm your coverage and provide a cost estimate.

2. Bring a snapshot of what you’ve tried

Before your visit, take a few minutes to make a simple list (or snap a photo of):

• Prescription and over-the-counter medications 
• Vitamins and supplements
• Herbals or “natural” remedies

If you’ve stopped any of these recently, include that too. 

You can briefly note:

• What helped
• What didn’t
• Anything that made symptoms worse or caused side effects

Having this info lets your care team make safer, more effective recommendations. It also helps them avoid suggesting anything you’ve already tried or that could interact with another medication. Is this appointment the first thing you’re trying? That’s A-okay too. Congratulations on taking the first step!

Tip: If making a list feels overwhelming, ask your pharmacist for a printed medication list to have on hand.

3. Share your symptoms–Nothing is TMI

Things like urgency, appetite changes, sleep, mood, stress—and yes, poop habits—all factor into decisions about your care plan. Gastrointestinal (GI) providers talk about this stuff all day, every day. Nothing you share will be shocking or too much information—and, chances are, they’ve even heard it before. Instead, being open helps your care team connect the dots faster and tailor a plan that fits your unique needs.

Your provider might ask you about:

• When your symptoms started
• How often they show up
• How intense they feel when they do
• Whether your symptoms come and go 
• Whether symptoms show up after eating specific foods or experiencing stress

When possible, think in patterns. Do symptoms flare after meals? At night? During busy or stressful periods in your life? Even rough observations are useful and can help guide the next steps in your care.

Tip: We get it. It can feel really weird to talk about your bathroom habits. Here are a few suggestions for how to make awkward topics a little easier to talk through:

• Jot down what you want to say ahead of time so you don’t have to think on the spot
• Practice saying it out loud
• Remind yourself: your provider has truly heard it all before

4. Jot down a few questions

It’s easy to leave a visit thinking, “Oops, I forgot to ask that.” Before your appointment, it can be helpful to write down a few questions you want answered. Having a list can help you stay focused during the visit and make sure what’s most important to you doesn’t get sidelined.

Tip: Here are a few sample questions you might want to ask:

• What are the next steps in my care plan?
• Are there changes I can try at home right now?
• What symptoms should I look out for to know if I have to seek urgent care?
• What should I not worry about? 
• What can I expect from treatment?
• When should I schedule a follow-up?

But don’t worry! If you do forget something you wanted to share, you can easily contact your care team in the Oshi Health mobile app.

Takeaway

Some quick prep can go a long way in making your virtual visits productive. When you come into your appointment with a few notes and details ready, you’re more likely to feel confident, and your provider can focus on what matters most: helping you feel better.