Health Care Timeline 

Learn about your health condition, medications, and allergies

Ask your doctor questions about your health

Ask your doctor if and at what age they no longer care for young adults

Find out what you know about your health, health care, and family medical history. Both you and your parent/caregiver can take Got Transition’s Transition Readiness Assessments* and discuss this together and with the doctor

Carry your own health insurance card

Learn more about your health and what to do in case of an emergency

Practice making a doctor’s appointment and ordering prescription refills (either by phone, online, or through an app)

Begin to see the doctor alone for part of the doctor’s visit to help gain independence in managing your health and health care

Make doctor’s appointments, see the doctor alone, ask the doctor any questions you have, and refill medications

Ask the doctor to talk with you about your privacy rights when you turn 18

Work with your doctor to make a medical summary. Keep a copy for yourself

Before you turn 18 and become a legal adult, figure out if you will need help making health care decisions. If so, ask your Family Voices chapter for local resources

Talk with your parent/caregiver about the age you want to transfer to a new doctor for adult care

You are a legal adult at age 18 and are legally responsible for your care. Parents/caregivers cannot access your medical information or be in the doctor’s visit unless you agree

Work with your current doctor to find a new adult doctor, if needed. Make sure that the new doctor accepts your health insurance

Update your medical summary with your doctor. Have your doctor send this to your new adult doctor. Keep a copy for yourself

Call your new adult doctor to schedule the first appointment. Make sure the new office has your medical information, and learn if there are any charges at the visit

Learn if there are additional changes at 18 that affect you (e.g., health insurance, Social Security Income)

Continue to get care from your adult doctor, learn to manage your health and health care, and update your medical summary

Be sure to stay insured. If you change your health insurance, make sure your doctor takes your insurance, and learn if there are any charges at the visit