Visiting the doctor is an important part of staying healthy, whether you’re going for a regular checkup or seeing a specialist for a specific concern.
What are things to consider when choosing a doctor?
From a primary care physician (PCP) to a specialist, you will want someone you can trust and partner with in maintaining or improving your health. Here are three tips to help you choose a doctor:
• Gather referrals: Get recommendations from family members, friends, or other care providers you already know and like. Be sure to ask about qualities that are important to you, such as the ease of making an appointment or how much time they spend with patients.
• Stay in your plan’s network: Doctors in your plan’s network have negotiated certain rates with your health plan to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Doctors outside your network don’t have these negotiated rates so you could pay more out of pocket.
• Review their education and experience: You can look at where doctors went to medical school, where they completed their residency, and how long they’ve been practicing medicine. Most doctors in the United States are also board certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties. For example, primary care doctors can be board-certified in family or internal medicine.
Once I’ve chosen a doctor, what should I do next?
Call to schedule a visit. Don’t hesitate to ask questions over the phone or schedule a consultation to meet the doctor in person. Make note of how long it takes to get an appointment, how friendly the office staff is, whether the doctor runs on schedule, and other things that may be important to you.
What is the best way to prepare for a doctor’s appointment?
Whether you’re having an in-person or virtual visit, experiencing symptoms or completing a preventive checkup, it helps your appointment run smoothly if you do the following things beforehand:
• Make a list of everything you take. This can include prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Be sure to also include how much you take each day.
• Think about including a family member or friend. They can help you think of questions for your doctor, review information with you after your appointment, or maybe even participate in your visit.
Are there specific questions I should be prepared to ask?
Yes. You can ask questions like:
• What can I do to prevent or delay health problems?
• Should I make any changes to improve my health?
• Are there tests or screenings I should have, based on my age or other risk factors?
• When should I come back for another visit?
Check with your health plan to find a doctor covered under your plan. If you have a Wellpoint health plan and need help finding a doctor, you can use the Find Care tool at wellpointmass.com or in the SydneySM Health mobile app.
