Map it out

Since primary care is the conduit for everyday health needs, it’s important that your primary care doctor be located somewhere convenient to you. You won’t want to travel very far when you’re not feeling good. And if your doctor’s office is conveniently located, you’ll hopefully be more inclined to keep appointments for physicals and other preventive care when you’re healthy.

Make sure you’ve got coverage

Once you’ve identified some possible candidates, check whether they work with your health plan. If you have traditional Medicare, call the doctor’s office and ask if they accept Medicare patients. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, call your insurance provider or check your plan’s website to see if the doctor is in your plan’s network. Most plans charge more if you see a doctor outside the network, so it’s important to take this step before scheduling an appointment.

Do a quality check

Chances are you wouldn’t hire someone to make repairs in your home without doing a little research into the quality of their work. So why would you choose a doctor without doing the same?

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check with your insurance company to see if they have any information about the quality ratings of specific primary care doctors in your network. You can also use the Physician Compare tool on Medicare.gov to see if your doctor has participated in any activities that indicate they provide high-quality care.

Finally, check to see whether your doctor is board-certified through the Certification Matters site, which the American Board of Medical Specialties maintains. Board-certified primary care doctors have not only met the licensing requirements of their states, but also passed comprehensive exams in internal medicine. Doctors also have to keep up with the latest developments in their fields to maintain their certification, so you can be sure they’re giving you up-to-date advice.

Place a cold call

A cold call is great to start the conversation with them. It will give you enough idea, whether it’s the suitable doctor that can help you or not. 

Ask about logistics … and whether they are set up for virtual appointments

Asking questions during that initial call can provide a sense of how the office runs. How does the office handle prescription refills? How do they let you know about test results? Can you email your doctor or schedule appointments online? Will the office call to remind you if you’re overdue for an annual screening or a flu shot?

You might also ask whether they offer same-day appointments and how long patients typically sit in the waiting room for an appointment. 

And now that virtual visits are becoming more common, ask whether the doctor conducts this type of visit, and how easy it is to schedule a virtual appointment. 

Keep your needs in mind

Every person has unique health needs, and those needs change as people age. Ask your doctor about their specialties or areas of interest.

For example, a physician who specializes in sports medicine may not be the best choice if you are not a serious athlete. But if you have a chronic condition like diabetes, you may want to look for a doctor with a special interest in diabetes care or a large number of patients with diabetes in their practice. Those are things to ask when you make that first call.

And if you have multiple complex medical issues, you may benefit from seeing a geriatrician. Geriatricians specialize in the care of older patients.

Look at the bigger picture

At the first visit, it’s important to make sure your doctor’s philosophy of care lines up with your own. Consider asking these questions: Why did the doctor decide to go into primary care? What is their favourite thing about being a doctor? What do they wish more patients would do after they leave the doctor’s office? 

If your doctor’s outlook on patient care aligns nicely with your preferences, you’ll be more likely to follow their recommendations in between appointments. So take this information into consideration when deciding whether to stick with a doctor following your first appointment.

Avoid culture shock

Every cultural group has its own customs, ideas and taboos about medical care, so find a doctor who not only speaks your language but is sensitive to your cultural, religious or other personal convictions.

If you are a member of the LGBTQ community, for example, you will want to make sure your physician is sensitive to your concerns and knowledgeable about LGBTQ health issues.

It is important that your doctor is culturally aware and respects your ideas and traditions.

Trust your gut

Your primary care doctor is going to be a problem-solver and an important advocate for your health. It’s critical that you trust them and feel comfortable asking questions.

The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends that after your first appointment, you ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you feel at ease with this doctor?

• Did the doctor show an interest in getting to know you?

• Did they answer all your questions?

• Did they explain things in a way you understood?

When looking for a primary care doctor for yourself or a loved one, it’s important to choose someone you can trust. A primary care doctor can:

Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, like screening tests and vaccines (shots)

Treat many health problems — including physical and mental health issues

Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue

When you and your doctor work together as a team, you get better health care. Look for a doctor who:

• Treats you with respect

• Listens to your opinions and concerns

• Encourages you to ask questions

• Explains things in ways you understand

• Try the following tips to find a doctor who’s right for you.

Ask for recommendations from people you know.

Getting a reference from someone you know and trust is a great way to find a doctor:

Check with your insurance company.

If you have health insurance, you may need to choose from a list of doctors in your plan’s network (doctors that take your insurance plan). Some insurance plans may let you choose a doctor outside your network if you pay more of the cost.

To find a doctor who takes your insurance:

Call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who take your insurance plan — or use the insurance company’s website to search for a doctor

Then call the doctor’s office and ask them to confirm that they take your plan — have your insurance card handy in case they need to know your plan details

If you don’t have health insurance, you’ll have to pay for health care out of pocket (on your own). 

Learn more about your top choices.

Make a list of the doctors you’re interested in. Be sure to think about how easy or difficult it will be to travel to an appointment. Then call their offices to learn more about them. The answers to the following questions may help you make the best decision.

Questions about the doctor:

• Is the doctor taking new patients?
• Is the doctor part of a group practice? If so, who are the other doctors that might help care for me?
• Who will see me if my doctor isn’t available?
• Which hospital does the doctor use?
• Does the doctor have experience treating my medical conditions?
• Does the doctor have special training or certifications?

Questions about the office:

• Are evening or weekend appointments available? What about virtual appointments over the phone or on a computer (telemedicine)?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• How long will it take to get an appointment?
• How long do appointments usually last?
• Can I get lab work and x-rays done in the office?
• Is there a doctor or nurse who speaks my preferred language?
• Think about your experience after the first visit.

Did the doctor and office staff:

• Make me feel comfortable during my appointment?
• Explain things in a way that was easy to understand?
• Listen carefully to me?
• Show respect for what I had to say?
• Know important information about my medical history?
• Spend enough time with me?
• Give me a chance to ask questions?
• If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you may want to keep looking.

Book your desired doctor’s appointment with www.healthcareconsultancyandmanagementservices.com