If there’s one person who knows you better than your spouse, your mom, and your sibling, that’s your primary care doctor. Your doctor is someone who you will know everything about your medical history, your personality, lifestyle, etc., which is why you need to find the right doctor for you.
Here are some tips to help you choose the right primary care physician for you:
Ask for Referrals
The first step to finding a good doctor is to talk to your family and friends about their doctors. They may be able to give you a recommendation, and when it comes to them, you know that you can trust their opinion. One thing to keep in mind is that we’re all different, which means that just because a doctor is great for them doesn’t mean it will be for you, too. However, it doesn’t hurt to try. Asking for referrals is a good starting point for your search.
Stay Local
Your primary care doctor must live within your area. You don’t want to travel too far for your health needs. Choose a doctor that is conveniently located near your residence or workplace so that you won’t have trouble getting to your appointments.
Check With Your Insurance Company
If you have health insurance, you can choose from a list of doctors in your plan’s network. Some insurance plans may let you pick a doctor outside their network; however, you need to pay more for that.
An easy way to do this is to call your insurance company and ask them for a list of doctors near you who take insurance plans. You can also do this online. Once you find a doctor, call the doctor’s office to confirm if they accept your specific health insurance plan.
On the other hand, if you don’t have health insurance, be prepared to pay cash upfront when you visit the doctor’s office.
Do a Quick Quality Check
Doctors are amazing, but some don’t meet your standards. Additionally, you want someone who provides quality work. You can do a quality check with your insurance company if you have coverage. Your insurance company will likely have adequate information about the quality of work of the doctor. Make sure to check if the doctor is board-certified as well. Board-certified doctors have met all the licensing requirements and have passed comprehensive exams in internal medicine.
Always Keep Your Needs in Mind
We all have unique health needs and those needs change as we age. Therefore, you should ask the doctor about his or her specialties or areas of interest. Some doctors are good at sports medicine, which would be perfect if you’re an athlete. On the other hand, there are doctors who have a special interest in diabetes, which would be helpful for patients with such a disease.
Conclusion
Having a primary care doctor is crucial. You need someone you can trust who knows your health. Additionally, building a relationship with your doctor will benefit you in the long run. If you haven’t found a doctor yet, follow the tips listed above to help you find the right one for you.
We provide comprehensive and individualized primary care in New Jersey. Get in touch with us today to see how we can help!