Which provider should i choose

Updated visitor guidelines. Top of the page. Topic Overview Introduction Choosing a doctor or other health care provider is very important.

What types of providers may be a good choice? Specialists Medical specialists are doctors who have completed advanced education and clinical training in a specific area of medicine their specialty area. How can you find a health care provider? These websites may be helpful for finding a health care provider: www. Here are some questions you may want to ask: Is the doctor accepting new patients? Is the doctor board-certified? Where did the doctor get his or her education and training?

Which hospitals does the doctor work with? Who fills in for the doctor when he or she isn't available? Does the doctor belong to my health insurance plan, and will the office bill my insurance for me?

What types of patients does the doctor see? What can you do during your first visit? Think about these questions: Does the doctor listen well and answer your questions?

Does the doctor use terms you can understand and explain things clearly? Does the doctor spend enough time with you? Can you build a good working relationship with the doctor? Does the doctor encourage you to take an active part in your care? Credits Current as of: May 27, Your search should start with your health insurance to find out which clinics and providers are available to you. Then consider these factors. This means looking at more than the diploma hanging on the wall of a provider's office.

Look for a provider who is certified in the area where you need care. For example, a doctor caring for adults may be board-certified in internal medicine or family medicine whereas a doctor caring for children may be board-certified in family medicine or pediatrics. Nurse practitioners are certified in a variety of areas such as women's health, geriatrics, neonatal care, and pediatrics.

Each specialization has its own certification process. How many years has the provider worked in this area? If you're considering a procedure, how many has the provider performed?

What is the provider's success rate? Philosophy of care may mean many things, but it all boils down to how the provider perceives his or her role, particularly around treatment decisions. It is important to find someone who will listen and respect your decisions.

To learn about the provider's philosophy of care, consider interviewing him or her either in person or on the phone. Some practitioners may be willing to do this without charging. For others, you may need to schedule a visit. Providers generally work in a clinic or group practice and the policies and staff there can have a big impact on your satisfaction. See if you can find answers to the following:. Some of the factors to consider when evaluating hospitals include:. Print the Choosing a Provider Form , a worksheet that helps you work through the decisions involved in choosing a provider.

Depending on where you live, some of this information may be available online. For example, the U. Department of Health and Human Services offers a hospital locator and comparison tool on their website. The Leapfrog Group provides information on healthcare quality at hospitals that agree to provide data, and Top Hospitals is another good resource for finding the best care available.

Another approach is to do a Google search for the name of the hospital and the words "quality scores" to ferret out information about specific hospitals. Next, call the hospitals. Ask to speak with the Quality Department, or whoever can answer the following questions:. Most healthcare providers will be supportive of your desire to get a second opinion and most insurance plans will cover a second opinion.

But it is important to find out ahead of time. Call your plan's patient services representative and ask if they cover second opinions.

To find a provider for a second opinion, follow the same steps that you took to find your primary provider. Ask for referrals from family and friends, contact your health plan or managed care organization, check clinic websites, call a clinic directly, or ask your primary provider for a referral. All of the tips on seeking a competent provider apply to integrative therapies as well. But sometimes finding the right integrative practitioner can be difficult. There is more variability in training, and the regulations that govern integrative practitioners vary considerably from state to state.

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