What is the best way to choose a doctor?

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

1. Ask friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers if they have a doctor they like.
2. If you’re looking for a new doctor because yours is retiring or moving, ask your current doctor for a recommendation.

Do I have the right to choose my own doctor?

The insurance company has the right to choose the doctor but must do so within five working days after you make the request (10 if the request is made by mail). If the insurance company misses the deadline, you can choose your own doctor.

Can a patient choose who treats them?

In an outpatient setting — in private care, as you note — patients can freely discriminate in choosing whom they want to treat them.

How do you find a primary care doctor?

Check which primary care doctors are local to you and in your insurance provider network. Find out whether they are board certified and check rankings lists, such as those frequently done by regional or city magazines. Talk to friends and family about who they see and whether they would recommend their doctor.

How to choose a physician?

Ask for recommendations from people you know.

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).

Learn more about your top choices. Make a list of the doctors you’re interested in.

Think about your experience after the first visit. Make me feel comfortable during my appointment? Explain things in a way that was easy to understand?

How to find a healthcare provider?

If you already have a provider you like and want to keep working with,call their office and ask if they accept your coverage.

Call your insurance company or state Medicaid and CHIP program. Look at their website or check your member handbook to find providers in your network who take your health coverage.

Ask your friends or family if they have providers they like and use these tools to compare health care providers in your area.

What does a primary care physician do?

A primary care provider (PCP) is a health care practitioner who sees people that have common medical problems. This person is most often a doctor. However, a PCP may be a physician assistant or a nurse practitioner. Your PCP is often involved in your care for a long time.