How to Find a New Doctor

Have you recently moved to a new area? Has your longtime doctor decided to retire? Did your doctor recently choose not to work with your health insurance company anymore? Are you in search of a doctor whose viewpoint is more in line with your own? There are many reasons why people seek a new doctor, and it can be challenging to know how to find one.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Think about what type of doctor you want. Would you feel more comfortable with a man or a woman? Does the amount of experience the doctor has matter to you? Do you want a doctor who specializes in a certain area in addition to being a general practitioner? How far from home are you willing to drive for an appointment? Do you need a doctor who has evening or weekend hours that will coordinate with your busy work schedule? Do you want a doctor who can attend to the needs of both you and your children in a single visit?
2. Talk to your insurance company. Once you've determined what kind of doctor you need, a good place to start your search if health care costs are an issue is with your insurance company. Find out which doctors are covered by your insurance plan so you can take advantage of your plan's features, such as low co-pays and negotiated fees. (A negotiated fee is a reduced fee you'll pay when getting services from a doctor in your health insurance company's network.) Many health insurance websites have a search engine that allows you to find a doctor just by logging on to their website. If not, give your insurance company a call.
3. Research your options. Once you've narrowed down the doctors who are covered by your insurance plan and meet your needs, it's time to start sizing them up. Typing the doctor's name and location into a search engine is a good way to find online reviews. Take these opinions with a grain of salt, though, as people with bad experiences are more likely to write a review than people with good or average experiences. Many doctors will not have any reviews.
4. Also, call a few offices and see what kind of impression you get from the receptionist. If you meet a friendly, professional person on the other end of the phone, you have probably found a doctor who holds high standards for his or her employees. A doctor with high standards for employees likely also has high standards for his or her own work. Also, if your insurance plan has you paying a percentage of the doctor's fees, inquire about each doctor's fees for routine services like checkups, bloodwork, and vaccines. Finally, ask how long the wait usually is for an appointment and if you're likely to be able to get a same-day appointment when you're sick.
5. Ask around. Another way to find a doctor is by word of mouth. A good place to start is with co-workers because they are likely to have the same insurance plan as you. If they like their doctor, you've got a great starting point. Of course, friends and family members are also good people to ask for recommendations.