DEAR HELOISE: I work as a receptionist at a doctor's office and have some hints for new patients calling to make a first appointment:
• Have your health-insurance card (primary and supplemental) in hand so you can give member and group numbers over the phone. This way, insurance can be verified before your visit and co-pay amount determined, if any.
• If you are not asked, be sure to ask if you can download new-patient forms and bring them with you. A lot of offices now have online forms that you can print and fill out in the comfort of your home, saving time once you arrive at the office.
• Be prepared to give your preferred pharmacy name, address and phone/fax number. More and more prescriptions are done directly from our office to the pharmacy. Rarely are handwritten prescriptions given anymore.
-- Jenna S. in Houston
DEAR READERS: A column about whether household appliances should have surge protectors generated a lot of responses. Here are a some:
Fred J. in The Villages, Fla., wrote: "Instead of having one surge protector for each appliance, consider calling your electrician to request a single surge protector installed at the point where the power comes into the circuit-breaker panel box. No need to buy a surge protector for each appliance."
R.J.G. in Thousand Oaks, Calif., wrote: "Over time, these individual protectors wear out and will not work. Of course, you will not know that, and your computer, microwave and anything with a motherboard will fry."
Sue and Maury H. in Summerfield, Fla., wrote: "Why don't the appliance manufacturers include surge protectors within their machines when they make them? Slight additional cost, but it should save them a lot of warranty claims."
DEAR HELOISE: Here is an easy and inexpensive way to wrap a large present: Use a party tablecloth from a dollar store. They come in a variety of colors and prints. The plastic tablecloths are durable and can be reused.
I used a birthday tablecloth and a fun coordinating printed tablecloth for two large presents I recently wrapped for a birthday party.
-- S.M., Kent, Ohio
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Style on 11/29/2016