There are over 1 million doctors of medicine in the United States.
If you’re in the market for a new doctor, you want the very best one possible. But with that many choices, it can be hard to separate the mediocre doctors from the superior doctors. Find the right doctor for you takes a little bit of time, but your health is more than worth it.
Keep reading to discover five tips for choosing a new primary care doctor.
1. Look for Doctors in Your Area
When you’re searching for a primary care physician, you’ll want to first create a list of all the doctors in your immediate area.
You don’t want to find the perfect doctor only to discover they’re a two-hour drive from your home. You’ll want to find a doctor that is a short drive so you can easily visit your doctor regularly.
Use an online doctor database and enter your address to discover all your local doctors. Write down a list of all the doctors within a feasible driving distance.
2. Consult Your Insurance Provider
Once you have a list of close doctors, you will then want to consult your insurance provider. You’ll need to check to see which doctors in your area are covered in your network.
If you choose a doctor that’s out of network, you’ll have to pay full price for all of your appointments. With insurance, you’ll pay a co-pay fee that will be much more affordable than the full price. If you’re already paying for insurance through your employer, there’s no reason not to take advantage of it.
3. Look for, Ask for Reviews
Once you have a few strong contenders, start looking and asking for previous patient reviews.
You can look online at resources like Google My Business or Yelp to see what previous patients are saying. With online resources, people are more likely to be honest and open with their reviews since there is a layer of anonymity.
Then, ask your friends and family members which local doctors they recommend. Also, ask around your workplace since your coworkers will use the same insurance provider.
4. Schedule a New Patient Appointment
Before committing to a physician, schedule a new patient appointment to see if they’re the right fit for you.
During a new patient appointment, the doctor will ask you basic medical questions to learn more about your needs. They’ll be able to tell you if they think they’d be able to provide the right care for you.
This is also an appointment for you to test how comfortable you feel with the doctor. You want a doctor that you can be honest with and trust.
Find the Right Primary Care Doctor
Using these tips, you can easily find the right primary care doctor and make your health a priority.
Start by looking for doctors in your area and finding out which ones are covered by your insurance. Then, be sure to ask for reviews and schedule a new patient appointment to see if they’re the right fit for you.
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