Select a physician
esides serving as an important step toward a healthier lifestyle, research suggests that people who have a strong relationship with a physician also report greater satisfaction with their care. In fact, more insurance plans are requiring that you choose one personal physician.
The best physicians offer you a cooperative relationship in an effort to monitor your health. In addition to helping you with health issues such as the flu or a sinus infection, they can refer you to specialists when necessary while overseeing all the care you get. “Ideally, you want to establish this relationship in advance — through routine visits — before you really need it,” said Rebecca Jones, director of marketing and communications for Saline Memorial Hospital. “But when you do need a physician to be your advocate, you will be glad to have someone who knows your background and medical history and can help make sure you get the tests and treatments you need and avoid common problems, such as duplicate or contradictory treatments.”
Here are some elements to consider when searching for a new doctor.
Often, your health-insurance carrier will limit your choice of doctors. Insurance companies have contracts with individuals or group practices. It is highly likely that you cannot go outside of your insurer’s provider network without paying an additional fee. Your primary-care doctor should understand your medical needs, as well as offer you appropriate referrals should you need a specialist. It is possible that using a doctor outside your insurer’s primary-care network may subject you to outof-pocket expenses. To find in-network doctors and hospitals, consult your insurance company.
Experts — and increasingly, insurance companies — recommend selecting a general practitioner to serve as your primary-care physician. This professional might be identified as a family-practice, internal-medicine or general-practice physician.
“Your primary-care physician should be someone you feel comfortable with,” Jones said. “Our role is to help navigate any relationship you may have with other specialists, working directly with them and you. Most importantly, we seek to keep the lines of communication open.” At your first visit, consider these issues: Does the doctor listen to you without interrupting? Does he or she fully answer your questions? Does he or she explain your diagnosis and treatment, and specify a plan for follow-up?
Friends, family and other trusted sources are the best way to find a new doctor. People will gladly give referrals when they have had positive experiences with their health care providers. The American Medical Association and other professional physicians’ organizations in your area will be another useful resource. Prior to making a final decision, always confirm that your physician has a current license to practice with the state medical board. This licensing body will also tell you if the doctor has any pending disciplinary action or complaints. Not every doctor accepts new patients. Once you have collected a list of possible physicians, contact them to make sure they will accept new patients, as well as the insurance you carry. Ideally, your first visit will include a routine physical examination and documentation of your medical history. Check with your insurance carrier ahead of time to determine which routine exams they will cover. — Courtesy of Green Shoot Media, with contributions by Spencer Griffin, special sections writer