Preparing for your visit with us!
For new patients, we ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill out new patient paperwork. This is a comprehensive initial visit and we do ask that you allow at least 1 hour for this appointment.
New Patient Paperwork Forms:
https://hushforms.com/aacenternh-intake-form-adult
https://hushforms.com/aacenternh
Please note: Filling out new patient paperwork forms are not a request for an appointment. The new patient forms above are for patients with a scheduled upcoming appointment only. If you have not scheduled a new patient appointment with us yet, please give us a call at 603-332-7774 and we’d be happy to help you set up an appointment.
We accept most major insurances. We accept the following insurances as of 2023: All Anthem plans, Cigna, Aetna, Tufts, United Health, Harvard Pilgrim, Health Plans INC, Samba, Humana, Tricare, VA CCN Optum patients, Welcare, Martin’s Point, Medicare, AARP Medicare Plans, Medicaid, NH Healthy Families, Ambetter, Wellsense & Amerihealth Caritas. We do not accept any Maine or Massachusetts or other out of State Insurance at this time. We do accept all New Hampshire state insurances. Please call if you are unsure or have any questions regarding if we accept your insurance.
Skin testing is offered for new patient appointments based on insurance policies. The following insurances do NOT allow for skin testing on the first initial visit: Medicaid, NH Healthy Families, Wellsense Health Plan, & Amerihealth Caritas. For those whose insurance does not allow for skin testing on the initial visit, we are more than happy to schedule a skin test for you on your second visit if indicated.
Please be aware with all skin testing appointments, we ask you to please not take any antihistamines up to three days prior to your scheduled appointment as antihistamines interfere with the interpretation of allergy testing. Some common antihistamines include the following: Afrin Nasal Spray, Alavert, Allegra (fexofenadine HCL), Allegra D (fexofenadine w/ pseudo), Astelin Nasal Spray, Atarax (hydroxyzine), Benadryl (diphenhydramine), Bilastine, Bromfed, Clarinex (desloratadine), Claritin (loratadine), Claritin D (loratadine w/ pseudo), Chlortrimeton, Dimetapp, Doxepin, Dry-lex, Extendryl Jr. Sr. or chewable, Neo-synephrine Nasal Spray, Nolamine, PBZ, PCM chewables, Palgic, Periactin, Rondec, Ryna 12, Rynatan, Tavist, Tavist D, Triaminic (chlorpheniramine), Zyrtec (cetirizine HCL), Xyzal. ANY OTC cough/cold combination medication or allergy medication ie: (Advil Allergy Sinus, Actifed, Drixoral, Pediacare cough/cold, Thera-Flu cough/cold, Robitussin cough/cold etc.) If you are not sure if a medication you are taking is an antihistamine, please contact our office to speak with medical staff at (603) 332-7774.
New Patient Appointments
You will first meet with one of our clinical staff members who will check your blood pressure, pulse and respiratory rate and review necessary medical information including medications.
Then the allergist will meet with you and obtain a very detailed history regarding the symptoms you or your child have been experiencing and also complete a physical exam.
After the history and physical exam, and a review of the relevant previous tests and medical records, you and the allergist will decide if any testing is necessary. This may include breathing tests or skin testing.
A comprehensive evaluation of your problems will follow with an individualized, detailed plan of care.
Please note: If you or your child is currently on allergy shots and transferring care to continue allergy shots, you must provide a copy of the allergy shot administration record and any available information regarding the mix of allergens.
We ask you to please bring the following: Valid ID, current insurance card, any pertinent records from other physicians.
Allergy Testing
Skin testing can be placed on the arm or back, depending on patient preference and the age and size of the child. A very small amount of an allergen is put into the skin by making a small “prick” on the surface of the skin. The prick tests are done with a sterile, disposable plastic prick test device that looks like a small tooth pick. The sensation is generally not painful and only mildly uncomfortable.
If you or your child has an allergy, a little swelling that looks and feels like a mosquito bite will appear at the prick site. These reactions occur within about 15 minutes. Generally, you won’t have any other symptoms other than a small hive where the test was done.
Skin tests are usually more sensitive for screening for most types of allergies compared to blood tests.
Immunotherapy
Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a form of long-term treatment that decreases symptoms for many people with allergic rhinitis, allergic asthma, conjunctivitis (eye allergy) or stinging insect allergy.
Allergy shots decrease sensitivity to allergens and often leads to lasting relief of allergy symptoms even after treatment is stopped. There are two phases:
• Build-up phase. This involves receiving injections with increasing amounts of the allergens once a week. The length of this phase depends upon how often the injections are received, but generally ranges from three to six months.
• Maintenance phase. This begins once the effective dose is reached. The effective maintenance dose depends on your level of allergen sensitivity and your response to the build-up phase. During the maintenance phase, there will be longer periods of time between treatments, ranging from two to four weeks. Our clinical staff will decide what range is best for you.
Allergy and Asthma Center 