Once surgery is on the calendar, your attention is probably on the procedure itself and what recovery will look like afterward. But there may be a few important steps to take care of first, including getting medical clearance from a healthcare provider.
A pre-surgical clearance, also called a pre-operative medical evaluation, looks at your health in the context of the surgery you’re preparing for. It can involve a physical exam, a review of your medical history, lab work, an EKG, or other testing your surgeon has requested. The idea is simple: make sure your surgical team has the information it needs before your procedure and identify anything that may need attention beforehand.
Why Does Your Surgeon Want Medical Clearance?
Feeling healthy doesn’t always tell the whole story when you’re preparing for surgery. An existing medical condition, medication, or unexpected test result may be worth a closer look before a procedure, even when it isn’t causing problems in your everyday life. That is why pre-surgical clearance is more than paperwork. Your provider can review your current health, look for potential concerns, and determine whether additional testing or follow-up may be appropriate before you move forward. There also isn’t a standard set of tests that everyone needs. Your age, medical history, medications, type of surgery, and your surgeon’s requirements can all affect what your evaluation involves.
What Happens During a Pre-Surgical Clearance?
Your provider will usually start by reviewing your medical history. Be ready to discuss existing and previous health conditions, medications and supplements, allergies, and past surgeries. You’ll also have a physical examination, which may include your blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, and other checks based on your health and planned procedure. From there, your surgeon’s orders will help determine what else needs to be done.
Your Pre-Surgery Testing May Include
Depending on your procedure and individual health needs, your surgeon may request:
- CBC (complete blood count): Provides information about the different cells in your blood.
- BMP/CMP: Provides information about areas such as blood sugar, electrolytes and kidney function, with a CMP also including information about liver function.
- Glucose: Measures your blood sugar level.
- HbA1c: Provides information about average blood sugar levels over time.
- HCG: May be used to check for pregnancy before surgery.
- Urinalysis: Examines urine for information that may be relevant to your health.
- MRSA screening: Checks for Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
- PT/PTT with INR: Evaluates how your blood clots.
Additional laboratory testing may be required depending on your medical history and the procedure you’re having.
Your Surgeon May Also Request an EKG or X-Ray
Lab work isn’t the only testing that can be part of medical clearance. Your surgeon may request an EKG, chest X-ray, or other imaging before your procedure. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, EKGs performed in-house require a provider visit to determine the appropriate testing and treatment. Third-party EKG orders are also accepted.
If an X-ray is part of your orders, bring those orders with you. Not every type of X-ray is available at every TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track location. If the imaging you need isn’t available at the location you visit, you may be directed to another clinic that offers it or asked to return for a future visit.
Don’t Leave Your Surgeon’s Paperwork at Home
Showing up with the right information can save a lot of back-and-forth. Bring your surgeon’s orders, any required authorization, and supporting documentation that may help the team complete your clearance or provide information needed for insurance approval. It is also helpful to bring:
- A current list of prescription and over-the-counter medications
- A list of supplements you take
- Information about allergies
- Relevant medical history
- Information about previous surgeries
- Any specific instructions from your surgical team
If an order isn’t clear, the team may need to contact your referring office to find out exactly what is required. When the necessary information can’t be confirmed, you may need to return once the correct documentation is available. And if you’ve been given instructions to fast or prepare in another way before testing, make sure you follow the directions provided by your healthcare professional.
Your Health History Matters, Even If You Feel Fine
Two people preparing for similar surgeries can have very different pre-operative needs. Conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, pulmonary conditions, and bleeding or clotting disorders may affect the evaluation or testing your provider needs to complete. Medications matter too. Make sure your provider knows about prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you take. Lifestyle factors such as smoking and alcohol use may also be relevant when evaluating your health before surgery.
This is a time to give your provider the complete picture, even when something doesn’t seem connected to your procedure. You also shouldn’t stop taking prescription medication simply because surgery is approaching. Any medication changes should be made under the direction of your surgeon or another appropriate healthcare professional.
Walk-In Pre-Surgical Clearances Are Now Available
One of the biggest changes to pre-surgical clearances at TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is that you now have more flexibility when it comes to your visit. As of September 1st, 2026, walk-ins are accepted for pre-surgical clearances, so an appointment is no longer required. Be sure to bring your surgeon’s orders, required authorization, and any supporting documentation that may be helpful for completing your clearance or insurance approval.
If you prefer to schedule your evaluation, contact Client Services at clientservices@fasttrackurgentcare.com or 813-395-9322. Click here for the Pre-Surgical Clearance Form.
Elective or Non-Elective? It Makes a Difference for Billing
You may be asked whether your upcoming surgery is elective or non-elective. In addition to helping the team understand your visit, that distinction determines how your pre-surgical clearance is billed. A card on file is required for pre-surgical clearance visits. For a non-elective procedure, TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track will attempt to bill your insurance. If insurance doesn’t cover the clearance, the visit will become the patient’s responsibility.
For an elective procedure, we will first attempt to bill your insurance and if insurance does not cover the clearance, the services rendered will become the patient’s responsibility. Bringing any authorization and supporting documentation that may help with insurance approval can help prevent unnecessary delays or denials.
Workers’ Compensation Clearances Have an Extra Step
If your surgery is related to a Workers’ Compensation case, authorization needs to be verified through Client Services before the pre-surgical evaluation can move forward. If authorization can’t be verified right away, our team will assist you in connecting with our client service team so your pre-surgical clearance can be scheduled for a future date.
Give Yourself More Than a Day or Two
Walking out of the clinic doesn’t necessarily mean the entire clearance process is finished. Lab or imaging results may still need to come back. Your provider needs time to review the results and complete the appropriate documentation, and there may be communication with your surgeon’s office. If something unexpected comes up, additional testing or follow-up may also be necessary. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track recommends allowing up to seven days for turnaround. Taking care of your clearance early gives you some breathing room if another test, document, or follow-up is needed before surgery.
Make Pre-Surgical Clearance One Less Thing on Your List
The days leading up to surgery can get busy quickly. Taking care of your medical clearance early, bringing the right paperwork, and following your surgeon’s testing instructions can help keep an important part of your preparation on track. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track provides pre-surgical clearances at locations throughout Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Lee, and Charlotte counties. Centers are open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Walk-ins are accepted, or you can contact Client Services at 813-395-9322 or clientservices@fasttrackurgentcare.com if you prefer to make an appointment. You can also use Save My Spot e-Check-in to complete your forms electronically before arriving and make check-in faster.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pre-Surgical Clearances
No. As of September 1, walk-ins are accepted for pre-surgical clearances, so an appointment is not required. If you would rather schedule ahead, contact Client Services at 813-395-9322 or clientservices@fasttrackurgentcare.com.
Bring your surgeon’s orders, required authorization, and supporting documentation that may help complete your clearance or assist with insurance approval. You should also have your medication list, allergy information, relevant medical history, and any instructions provided by your surgical team.
Yes. Walk-ins are now accepted, but you can still schedule your pre-surgical evaluation if you prefer. Contact Client Services by phone or email to arrange your visit.
Yes. Save My Spot e-Check-in allows you to complete your forms electronically before arriving, which can make the check-in process faster. It is optional and is not the same as scheduling an appointment.
No. Testing depends on your health, procedure, and surgeon’s requirements. Your orders may include blood work, urine testing, an EKG, imaging, or other testing.
Yes. Third-party EKG orders are accepted; we ask that you please bring the EKG order with you to your visit.
You may be directed to another TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track location that offers the required imaging or asked to return for a future visit.
The team may contact your referring office for clarification. If the required information can’t be confirmed, you may need to return once the correct documentation is available.
TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track will attempt to bill insurance. If insurance doesn’t cover the clearance, the visit will become the patient’s responsibility. A card on file is required.
Yes. Authorization must be verified through Client Services. If it can’t be verified right away, our team will assist in connecting you to our client service team so you can be scheduled for a future date.
Allow up to seven days for turnaround. Testing, results, provider review, documentation, communication with your surgeon, or additional follow-up may all be necessary before the clearance is complete.
Disclaimer
The blogs presented by TGH Urgent care in partnership with Fast Track are not a replacement for medical care and are exclusively intended for educational purposes. The content provided here should not be construed as medical guidance. If you are encountering any symptoms, we strongly recommend that you consult a qualified healthcare provider. If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency call 911.