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Look for one who accepts your health plan. Check
with the plan and/or your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) or employee
benefits staff.
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If you belong to a managed care plan, get a list
of providers who work with the plan. Health Maintenance Organizations
(HMOs) and Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) are two types of
managed care plans. The doctor(s) you see now may be on your HMO or PPO
list.
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Ask relatives and friends for doctors that have
given them good medical care and whom they trust.
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Find out if a doctor is taking new patients. Check
with your health plan or call the doctor’s office.
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Talk to several providers before you decide on the
one you want.
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Look for a doctor you can relate to. Find one who
meets your needs of how medical decisions are made: The doctor alone;
you and the doctor together, etc.
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Ask about office hours and staffing. Ask how long
persons usually wait to see the doctor. Find out how many patients are
scheduled to be seen in an hour.
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Ask how payment is handled. Must you pay for your
visit at that time? Can you be billed and pay later?
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Find out what other providers serve as backups
when the doctor is away. Ask what you should do at non-office hour
times.
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Find out which hospital(s) the doctor or provider
sends patients to.
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Look for a doctor who is competent and can care
for all your general health needs. Ask if the doctor will refer you to
other health care providers for any special health needs.
