Your first visit, explained.
Everything you need to know before walking through our doors. Designed to make your first appointment as comfortable as possible.
Before your first visit
Please bring the following:
- Your insurance card (front and back)
- A government-issued photo ID
- Your prescription, if you have a paper copy
- A list of your current medications, including over-the-counter and supplements
- Recent lab results from your physician, if available
- The name and contact information of your prescribing physician
We will have already completed insurance verification and prior authorization before your appointment, so there should be no surprises at check-in.
Driving directions and parking
TheraVite Health is at Danbury, CT, in the heart of the Danbury medical corridor. Free, ground-level parking is available directly outside our entrance. Accessible parking spaces are reserved adjacent to the building entrance.
What to wear and bring
- Wear loose-fitting sleeves for easy IV access (most infusions are administered through the arm)
- Bring something to do — a book, a tablet, headphones, a craft project. Most infusions take 1 to 4 hours, with IVIg and some other therapies taking longer.
- Bring a snack if you wish — light snacks and beverages are also available in our suite.
- A blanket or sweater — infusion suites tend to be cool to keep medications stable.
- Family member or friend? Welcome and encouraged. Comfortable seating in each suite for one companion.
How long appointments take
- Subcutaneous (SC) injection: 30 to 45 minutes including monitoring
- Standard IV infusion: 2 to 4 hours depending on therapy
- IVIg: 4 to 6 hours, sometimes longer for first dose
- Initial consultation: add 30 minutes for first-visit intake
Your scheduling team will give you an exact estimate when we confirm your appointment.
What happens during the appointment
Your first infusion visit is designed to feel calm, unhurried, and clearly explained. Knowing exactly what to expect can ease any anxiety and help you feel prepared. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of your first visit, from arrival to discharge.
Check-in and registration
When you arrive, our front-desk team will greet you and guide you through a short check-in process. We will verify your insurance and identification, confirm your paperwork is complete, and answer any last-minute logistical questions. If you brought a family member or friend for support, they are welcome to sit with you or wait in our lounge — whichever you prefer. Bring a photo ID, your insurance card, and any recent lab work your prescriber asked you to bring.
Meet your care team
Before your infusion begins, you will meet with your PharmD care coordinator and the nurse who will be administering your treatment. This is your time. We will review your medical history, current medications, allergies, and treatment goals. We will walk you through what your specific therapy does, how long today’s infusion will take, and what to expect afterward. Please share any allergies, sensitivities, or concerns — anything you would want us to know matters here.
Getting comfortable and IV placement
Once you are settled in a private infusion suite, your nurse will help you get comfortable in a heated reclining chair. Loose, comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily works best. Bring anything that helps you relax — a favorite blanket, a book, headphones, a tablet, or a family member for company. Your nurse will then place an IV line, a quick and minimally invasive step. If needle placement makes you anxious, tell us — we can talk you through it and use techniques that make it easier.
Pre-medication (if needed)
Some infusion therapies call for pre-medications before the infusion itself — typically antihistamines or corticosteroids to reduce the chance of an infusion reaction. If your therapy requires this, your nurse will administer the pre-medications and wait for them to take effect (usually 15 to 30 minutes) before starting the main infusion. Many patients rest, read, or scroll their phone during this time.
The infusion itself
Your infusion begins at a carefully controlled rate. The duration depends on the medication and the dose — some infusions take 30 minutes, others three or four hours. Your nurse will give you an estimated timeframe for your specific therapy at the start. Throughout the infusion, you have access to Wi-Fi, streaming, refreshments (light snacks, coffee, water, tea), a phone charger, and a call button. Many patients work, read, watch shows, or nap. Others simply enjoy the quiet. Whatever helps you relax is welcome.
Monitoring and support
Your nurse checks in regularly throughout the infusion — taking vital signs, asking how you are feeling, and watching for any signs of a reaction. Reactions are uncommon with most biologic therapies, but our team is trained and equipped to recognize and respond to them immediately. Emergency medications and equipment are on-site at all times. You can call your nurse over any time you need something, from a warm blanket to a bathroom break to a question about what you are noticing. There is no such thing as bothering us — being present with you is the job.
Post-infusion monitoring and discharge
Once your infusion is complete, your nurse will remove the IV and monitor you for 15 to 30 minutes to make sure you are feeling well before you leave. Before you go, we will review post-treatment instructions, walk you through what side effects to watch for, and give you our 24-hour clinical contact number. If additional infusions are part of your care plan, we will help you schedule your next appointment before you leave — keeping your therapy on track. You will also receive a written summary you can share with your prescribing physician.
Frequently asked questions
Can I work or take calls during my infusion?
Absolutely. Wi-Fi is available, and most patients work, read, watch shows, or nap during longer infusions.
What if I have a reaction to my therapy?
Reactions are uncommon but possible with biologic therapies. Our staff is trained to recognize and respond to reactions immediately. Emergency medications and equipment are on-site. After your visit, you will have a 24-hour contact number for any concerns.
How do I refill my prescription?
For specialty pharmacy patients, refills are handled automatically by your dedicated care team. We contact you 7 to 10 days before you’re due for a refill to coordinate delivery.
What if I need to reschedule?
Call our main line as soon as you know. We do everything possible to accommodate schedule changes, but advance notice helps us serve all our patients better.
Is this covered by insurance?
In most cases, yes. We complete benefits verification before your first visit and tell you your expected cost in advance. Our team can also help you access manufacturer copay assistance and foundation grants if needed.
Have a question we didn’t answer?
Our team is happy to walk you through anything before your first appointment.
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