CHOOSING A PHYSICIAN WHO'S RIGHT FOR YOU You may have moved recently. Perhaps you have a new health care plan that has its own list of medical insurance providers. Maybe you're dissatisfied with your current physician and want to make a switch. medical insurance providers There may be many times in your life when you need to choose a physician. And it can be a daunting task if you're unsure where to begin. How do you know who's right for you or your family if all you have to go on is a list of names? You could just call a doctor's office and make an appointment, but chances are you'll make a better choice if you do a little homework up front. Oasis offer tips on choosing a primary care physician. How to choose a physician Make the effort — Because your doctor is a key partner in your health care, it's important to choose carefully and well. Even if you're healthy, consider what would happen if you were ever suddenly ill and needed a physician. Wouldn't it be better to have your care managed by someone who knows something about you and is familiar with your medical history? Shouldn't finding a doctor in a new location be as important as, say, finding a good mechanic or dentist? Narrow your search — Ask friends, family, work colleagues and other trusted care providers for recommendations. Be certain to ask why they make the recommendations they do. Also, decide how far you're willing to travel to see a physician. A managed care plan usually limits the doctors you can see; be certain you have the most up-to-date provider list. Narrow your list to a manageable size. Consider your options — Before you begin contacting individual physician's offices, take some time to consider what you're looking for in a primary care provider, someone whom you will see for routine check-ups and care? Do you want a family physician, an internist, an obstetrician-gynecologist, a pediatrician? Think about doctors you have seen in the past. What did you like about them? What did you dislike? What would your ideal doctor be like? Friendly, warm, emotionally involved? Authoritarian, strictly business? Is age or gender an issue? Do you want someone who is open to alternative treatments? Do you want a doctor within a certain subspecialty because of a problem you have? Write down those characteristics that are most important to you. Contact the physician's office — Once you have an idea of the type of physician you'd be most compatible with, contact individual physician's offices on your list. Ask if the doctor is taking new patients, and if the doctor accepts your medical insurance. Ask if weekend or evening appointments are possible, if that is of importance to you. Find out how long you must wait for an appointment. Ask who covers for the doctor when he or she is unavailable. Inquire about billing arrangements. If you're calling a group practice or clinic, you may want to describe what type of provider you're looking for and ask the receptionist or an office nurse for their recommendation. Ask about referrals and other services — When you're down to a few names, you may want to ask even more specific questions. How willing is the physician to refer you to a specialist, if need be? Is the doctor associated with a hospital or medical clinic? If you have a preference of a hospital, does he or she have admitting privileges there? Does the doctor's office have an on-site lab? X-ray facilities? Does the office file insurance claims for patients? Verify credentials — Before you make any appointment, check out a doctor's qualifications. Ask if the doctor is board-certified. This means the doctor has completed several years of training in a specialty and passed an exam. You can check if a physician is board-certified at the American Board of Medical Specialties web site. To determine if any disciplinary action has been taken or may be pending against a doctor, call your state's medical licensing board (call Directory Assistance or look under state government listings in your phone book). The American Medical Association, as part of its Web site, has a service called Doctor Finder that helps consumers locate physicians, particularly specialists. You may also consider trying nationally advertised physician referral services if you live in a large metropolitan area. Schedule your first visit — Try to schedule, either as an introductory meeting or as part of your first appointment, some time to get to know your new doctor. How comfortable are you with him or her right from the start? Is he or she open to your questions? Does he or she have experience treating someone with your medical condition (if you have one)? If you call the office with a medical question, can you speak to the doctor directly? Trust your gut feelings and don't be afraid to try another — If you don't feel compatible with a new doctor, try your list again. This site can help you know how a good affordable health insurance quotes should protect your family, and we'll assist you find a type of plan that may fit your budget, needs.