Whether you recently moved to a new area, changed jobs/health insurance, or simply need to change your primary care physician, selecting a primary care physician is an important step toward managing your healthcare. Your primary care doctor is your entry point into the medical world and will guide you through the various aspects of your health and any medical conditions. This physician will handle a range of services including, wellness visits and routine screenings, non-emergency illnesses, chronic disease management, and immunizations. They will also help determine when a specialist needs to be involved and provide a referral for these services.
A primary care physician is an integral part of ensuring the proper management of acute and chronic conditions and can help improve health outcomes while lowering healthcare costs. Choosing the right doctor is one step in effectively managing your healthcare needs, for more on maximizing your primary care experience see our resource on comprehensive primary care and its benefits.
It’s important to select a primary care provider who is not only knowledgeable but also someone you are comfortable with. To help you make your decision, we have provided the following list of tips to consider.
Five Tips For Choosing a Primary Care Physician
1. Consider “In-Network” Physicians
Finding a primary care doctor accepting Medicare or your private insurance can help minimize out-of-pocket expenses. Many health insurance plans have negotiated special, discounted rates with certain doctors in your area so that you will owe less when visiting these doctors. These physicians are referred to as “in-network” providers and by seeing them you can avoid any surprise charges not accepted by your health insurance. Browse our list of physicians to find a Medicare or primary care physician near you.
2. Select a Doctor with Expertise to Meet Your Healthcare Needs
Primary care practitioners are a broad group of doctors with varying backgrounds and training. Depending on your needs, choosing the best provider can ensure your and your family’s healthcare needs are met.
The types of primary care providers can be broken down into four main categories. These categories include Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynecology.
- Family Practice Physicians. This specialty treats patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly. Some family medicine physicians will provide care to pregnant women and provide comprehensive women’s health needs. Selecting a family practice physician can be a great choice for families looking for one doctor to care for all its members.
- Internal Medicine Physicians. This specialty focuses on providing comprehensive care to adults. The age range for these physicians is typically anyone over the age of 18.
- Pediatric Physicians. This specialty focuses on providing preventative, diagnostic, and routine medical care to any patient under the age of 18.
- Obstetrics and Gynecologists. This specialty focuses on the healthcare needs of women. Typically these physicians care for women within the reproductive years of their life all the way past menopause.
- Med-Peds Physicians. This specialty focuses on treating children and adults of all ages. However, they differ from family physicians in that they do not provide pregnancy-related care.
3. Referrals
Elicit opinions from other family members, friends, and co-workers to see who they use as a primary care physician. You can also ask another healthcare professional for their opinion on primary care providers. In the event you are moving to a new location, your current doctor may be able to provide some recommendations on providers in the area.
This can provide first-hand knowledge about the provider and give you a good starting point in deciding the primary care physician right for you.
4. Logistics
Many logistical concerns need to be considered when selecting a primary care provider. Picking a physician close to your home or work can make appointments and sick visits less of a hassle. Selecting a healthcare clinic with extended weekday hours or weekend hours can help reduce the amount of time you will need to take off of work.
5. Visit the Doctor
Researching the practice and physician is an integral part of selecting a primary care physician. However, nothing will give you a better feel as to whether you’ve selected the right doctor than setting up an office visit. This appointment will provide first-hand knowledge of the efficiency of the office, the mannerisms of the physician, and the overall comfort you have with the physician.
If after this visit you wish to try a different physician, there is no problem transferring your care to another office or provider within the same office. The most important factor is your level of trust and comfort in your provider.
Other Considerations for a Primary Care Office
- Were the staff courteous and helpful?
- Are your questions answered in a timely manner?
- Does the office offer telehealth options?
- What technology (i.e., patient portal, electronic health records) does the office offer?
- Did the doctor dismiss your concerns or interrupt you frequently?
- Did the doctor explain things to you in a way that you could understand?
The bottom line
Finding a qualified primary care physician can be best achieved by word of mouth. People in your family, at your job, in your school, in the community, and even on social media can provide feedback and recommendations from their own experiences.
Consider all of the above factors when choosing a primary care provider. Check with your Medicare or private insurance company to obtain a list of local providers and begin to narrow them down based on what’s important to you.
Taking your time can ensure you find the best physician to meet your healthcare needs. The long-term benefits will be well worth the extra effort and you will be able to rest comfortably that your care is in the right hands.