Four Tips To Choosing Your Family Doctor

When it comes to health care, it's always best for your family to visit the same doctor. A family doctor like the ones at Choice Medical Group is a great option over seeing your own individual doctor because it ensures that your doctor has a better idea of family health history. Not only this, but it can also be more convenient as far as scheduling appointments for your whole family. If your family is ready to choose a family doctor, here are four tips to keep in mind:

1. Look at a List of Doctors Through Your Insurance Provider: The first thing you are going to want to do is look at a list of doctors in your area through your insurance provider. Your health insurance most likely has an easy access website where you can find doctors who work specifically in family practice who will also accept your insurance. This way, you are not calling doctors to check if they are accepting new patients only to discover that they will not accept your insurance. 
2. Ask for Referrals: If you are switching doctors because your current doctor no longer accepts your insurance or they are retiring or you are moving to a new area, then asking your current doctor for a referral is a great way to ensure that you receive care from someone you are more likely to trust. You can also ask for referrals from friends or family who have the same insurance as you. This is especially helpful if you have insurance through your company since you can ask for referrals from your trusted co-workers. 
3. ​Check for Convenience: When choosing a family doctor, it's more about location that will help you determine whether or not the new doctor is going to be a convenient choice. You also want to know what hospital your doctor will admit you to if it's needed. The hospital should be close to you and one of your preferred locations. You also want to know what their hours are like. For example, if you don't like to miss work or take the kids out of school for regular appointments, you may want to check for a doctor who offers some weekend or evening hours during the week. 
4. Always Receive a Consultation: Before settling, you will want to set up a time to actually visit with the doctor. This way, you can determine whether or not their office and that doctor is someone you can be comfortable with. Going in person often leaves a very different impression than pictures will online. 

When you consider these four tips, you can be sure that you end up choosing a family doctor you are more likely going to be happy sticking with long term for the whole family.