Moving to a new city means having to get a lay of the land, meet new people, find the right schools for your children, and find the right new doctor. Because most people have had a doctor in the past they know and trust, finding a new doctor to care for them and their children can be daunting. However, finding a new doctor can be a simple process if you utilize these few tips:
1. Health Insurance
One of the first steps to finding a good doctor starts with your affordable health insurance plan. Because health insurance does not fully cover every doctor or every hospital visit, it is important to find a doctor on your health insurance provider’s list. This can help you narrow down which doctors offices to check out. Additionally, your health insurance provider should be able to provide you with a list of family practitioners, general practitioners, or doctors who specialize in a certain area of medicine.
2. Ask Around
A great way to get to know your neighbors or new co-workers is to strike up a conversation with them and ask them if they know of a good doctor in the area. Do not be afraid to ask them questions about their doctor either, such as whether or not the doctor is accepting new patients, or how long it usually takes to get an appointment with their doctor. Having a personal recommendation can help you find a doctor who has a good reputation with his or her patients.
Additionally, check local resources, such as websites and the phone book, to find further options.
3. Call Offices
Once you have a list, give the office a call. Chatting with the office staff can help you understand how the clinic or office works, the doctor’s schedule, and the doctor’s credentials. The office staff can also offer you information on different policies, what types of insurance they accept, what types of payment they will accept, and what hospital the doctor is affiliated with.
Additionally, ask if the doctor is part of a group practice. If he or she is, take the time to ask what other doctors are available and what area of medicine they specialize in.
4. Schedule an Appointment
Once you have a doctor you are fairly certain of, schedule an appointment so you can test out the waters. Scheduling an appointment can help you determine how simple the process is and how long the wait is for an appointment.
5. After the Appointment
Once you have visited the office and had a chance to get to know the doctor a bit, ask yourself whether or not you felt comfortable with the doctor. Was it easy to ask questions? Did you feel the doctor answered your questions accurately? Or did he or she rush off to another appointment, leaving you with a nurse to finish the appointment?
When it comes to a doctor-patient relationship, honesty and open communication is a wise practice. Once you find the right doctor, make sure you are as forthcoming with them as possible in order to get the best results.
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