There are many reasons to look for a new doctor. Perhaps you’ve outgrown your pediatrician or your doctor retired. You could be living in a new town or your insurance company assigned you a doctor, but you’d rather choose your own. Maybe your current doctors just isn’t the right ‘fit.’ It’s time to start shopping.
Here’s five easy steps to choose a new primary care physician:
Step 1. Ask a friend.
You ask friends for recommendations about restaurants, phone plans and cars. So why not ask about doctors? You’ll probably get an earful about why they do (or don’t!) like their doctor. It’s a good place to start, but don’t stop there.
Step 2. Stay in network. Save money.
Check with your health insurance company to find a doctor that’s in your plan’s network for the best financial deal — staying in-network means lower out-of-pocket costs for you.
Get started by checking your insurance carrier’s website for DocFind or “Find a doctor” services. You can search by name or ZIP code to find doctors nearby, then check to see if they’re accepting new patients.
TIP: Have your insurance ID card handy so you can specify your plan. Some doctors don’t participate in every plan from the same company.
Not tech savy? Call the customer service number on the back of your ID card for a list of in-network doctors near you.
Step 3. Be picky.
Not all primary care doctors are created equal. A family and general practice doctor might be a good choice if you want your whole family to go to the same office. For women of childbearing age, an OB/GYN is a smart choice. Or find a internist for preventive care and help with chronic conditions.
You’ll also want to choose between a medical doctor (MD) and a doctor of osteopathy (DO). Both are licensed by the American Medical Association, although there are fewer DOs than MDs. DO’s whole-person approach to medicine is gaining popularity, and the number of osteopathic medical students is increasing every year.
Be sure to check your doctor’s hospital affiliation too, so you’ll have the option of seeing your own doctor in the hospital of your choice if you’re hospitalized.
On a personal level, you may have a gender preference or want a doctor who’s about your age. Look online for clues. You may find a doctor from your alma mater, someone who shares your love of triathlons, or even a foodie who enjoys fine dining as much as you do.
Step 4. Do a quality check.
It’s easy to go online to compare how your doctor measures up. For example, Priority Health uses an “apple” rating to measure a doctor’s commitment to preventive care. The more no-cost preventive care they offer, the higher the rating.
You can also check a doctor’s HealthGrades ratings through your insurance website or at healthgrades.com. This site encourages patients to rate their experiences with bedside manner, ease of scheduling appointments, average wait times and more.
Step 5. Make the switch.
You can change doctors by calling their offices directly. Or use the “switch doctor” form on your insurance company’s website. Your new doctor will request your medical records from your previous one, so nothing gets lost in the transition.
Remember, with health insurance, you can have one free, preventive care check-up each year.
Plan ahead. In general, doctors are so busy that they’re scheduling well-visit appointments about six months in advance.
In a hurry? Ask if you can see a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant sooner. That may cut your wait from six months to six weeks or less.
