What to Bring and How to Prepare for Your Maine Certification

The easiest way to take the stress out of a medical visit is to know what you need before you start. For Maine certification at Relief Clinic, the list is shorter than most people expect. This post covers what to bring, what you can leave at home, and how to get the most out of your conversation with the provider.

All of the clinic-specific details here come from Relief Clinic's own published information for its Maine office at 216 Center Street in Auburn.

The one thing you must have: Maine ID

Relief Clinic's Maine page asks for your Maine State ID or driver's license. The clinic explains that Maine requires the provider to see it, and that applies whether you come in to the Auburn office or do your visit by telemedicine.

• Use your current Maine driver's license or Maine State ID.
• Check that the name on it matches the name you give when you text.
• Keep it out of the wallet and in your hand before the visit begins.
• If you are unsure whether your ID works, text (207) 241-2815 and ask first.

If you pick the wrong card, do not panic. A patient named Jessica Bourgoin shared this on Google after exactly that happened: “I had messed up and I sent my old drivers license and they were so quick to fix it and so nice!!” It is still faster to get it right the first time.

What you do not need: medical records

This one surprises people who have heard how other states work. The clinic states plainly that medical records are not required in the State of Maine. You do not need to request files from your doctor, wait on a fax, or carry a folder in.

That is specific to Maine. Relief Clinic also has offices in Florida, and the Florida process asks for records. If you are moving between the two states, the last post in this series explains the difference. For now, if you live in Maine, you can skip the paperwork chase.

If you have a mental health condition

Patients with anxiety, depression, PTSD or any other mental health condition complete two forms before certification: a HIPAA form and a PCL-5 questionnaire. The clinic hosts both online. The PCL-5 has 15 items, and you answer each on a scale from 0 to 4.

Do these forms before your appointment time, in a quiet moment, rather than rushing them while the provider waits. Answer honestly. They exist so the provider can understand your situation, and no answer is a wrong one. The clinic also says it will not share your information with anyone and that it follows HIPAA.

Think about your story

You do not need a script, but a few minutes of thinking helps. The clinic describes its visits as in-depth consultations focused on getting to know you. A provider cannot get to know you if you freeze up, so jot down a few notes before you begin.

• What symptoms or health challenges bring you in, and how long you have had them.
• How those challenges affect your day, your sleep, your work or your family.
• What you have already tried, in your own words.
• Questions you want to ask, so you do not forget them once the visit starts.

Relief Clinic's Maine page lists the conditions it works with, among them chronic pain, severe nausea, anxiety, depression, arthritis, migraines, insomnia, fibromyalgia, seizures and PTSD, followed by the words “and many more.” If your situation is not listed, ask by text.

Choose how you will visit

You can see a provider in person in Auburn or do the visit by telemedicine. In person, bring your ID and show up during office hours. By telemedicine, which runs seven days a week from 10:00am - 8:00pm, charge your phone, pick a quiet spot, and make sure your signal is steady.

Not sure which to choose? The clinic offers free consultations for exactly that question. In its own words, if you are confused about which process to go with, it can help.

Know the price before you go

The Maine visit is $39.99 in person and $43.99 by telemedicine. The clinic takes cash and all major credit cards. Florida prices are different, so check which state you are asking about if you look at the clinic's website.

A simple checklist

• Maine driver's license or State ID, ready to show.
• A charged phone and a quiet place, if you are visiting by telemedicine.
• The HIPAA form and PCL-5, completed ahead of time if they apply to you.
• A few notes about your health and any questions.
• A way to pay: cash or a major credit card.

That is the whole list. When you are ready, or if anything above is unclear, text Relief Clinic at (207) 241-2815 and ask before you start.