Finding a Health Care Provider with Ease

Finding a Health Care Provider with Ease

Many people are under the impression that finding a doctor is as easy as shopping for a new pair of shoes. This is a huge misconception that leads many people regretting their decision later on down the road. The key to finding a reputable doctor in your locality is research. Believe it or not, there is information online for just about every physician in the United States. So, be sure to start your search online and go from there. Below, you will discover several tips for finding a reputable doctor.

Request References

There is no better form of advertising than word-of-mouth. In fact, most everyone relies on others to provide them with references for service providers. However, it is crucial to only request references from people you trust. You definitely would not trust a stranger to help you make an important decision, so why would you rely on them to help you find a physician? Instead request references from other medical professional, family, friends, close acquaintances and co-workers.

Speak With The Physician In Person

Once you collect a list of references, you should do research on each physician on the list. It is also a good idea to visit each physician’s office and speak the medical staff in person. If at all possible, you should request a private meeting with the physician. If your request is denied, you may want to move to the prospect on the list. Never just pick a physician from the list and make it your primary care provider. Others have done this and regretted their decision.

Medical History

You should also take your medical history in consideration, when searching for a new doctor. Be cautious of high blood pressure many of life’s unexpected events, such as losing a job or receiving an audit could send your blood pressure through the roof. Make sure you learn more about healthcare fraud so you can be prepared for anything that is thrown your way.

You will want to choose a physician that specializes in the conditions that you suffer from. For instance, if you have a history of hypothyroid disease or Alzheimer’s, you will want the physician to be familiar with these conditions. Most primary care physicians are skilled and fully capable of treating these conditions and if they aren’t they will refer you to a specialist.

Ask About Insurance Plans

If you have health care insurance, you will want to make sure the physician accepts it. While many physicians will accept a wide array of insurance plans, others will only accept a few. It will be your responsibility to make sure the physician accepts your specific type of insurance. If you fail to do this and go in for an office visit, you will have to pay out-of-pocket for the service.

Board Certified Physicians

Only consider physicians that are certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. There are an estimated 840,000 Board Certified physicians, according to the ABMS. You want to make sure that you and your family receive quality care and choosing a Board Certified doctor is the best way to do it.

It is important to note that Board Certification is not a federal or state requirement, but a voluntary process that goes much farther than the licensing requirements.