10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a New Doctor
Do They Accept My Insurance?
This is the most important question to ask when choosing a new doctor. If they do not accept your insurance that means you will be paying out of pocket or filing for out of network coverage which is expensive. Be sure they accept your current insurance provider and plan before making an appointment.
What Is My Expected Copay?
Depending on what insurance plan you have, there may be a copay for certain types of visits. For example, office visits may have a copay but physicals might not. This is a question to ask your insurance company so you know what to expect at your first visit and not be surprised.
What In Office Services Do They Offer?
Many primary care providers offer in office services. These can be wart and skin tag removal, cryotherapy, trigger point injections, botox and more. Most primary care providers offer most common forms of lab work but be sure to check if they do. Some might even offer X-rays and EKG technology.
Are They Accepting New Patients?
Healthcare is in high demand and many doctors might not be accepting new patients. This can be due to a high number of patients or the fact that they accept most insurance companies. Before you get your hopes up, call to see if they are currently accepting new patients and schedule once you know.
What Is an Average Wait Time?
By looking on online review sites, you can find out what the average time in the waiting room is like. Sometimes it may be hours or more. This is why it’s important to check, as one would want to get out of a doctor's office and back to health as soon as possible.
Do They Accept Walk-Ins?
If you have a primary care provider that allows existing patients to walk in and receive instant care, you know that when you suddenly get sick you can rely on them to take care of you. This is a great option for kids as well as scheduling an appointment around school days can be a hassle.
Can They Treat My Condition?
If you are suffering from a chronic medical condition, see if they can treat it at their office. If you have a complex condition, some doctors might not have the knowledge to work with you. However, most doctors do have knowledge on basic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. Usually their websites will list conditions they treat.
How Large Is Their Staff?
If a doctor's office has a large staff, they may have several doctors available that you can choose as your primary care physician. In most cases, you can choose the one to treat you. However, only one or two doctors may be accepting new patients so be sure to see if they can take you in.
Do They Have Hospital Affiliation?
If a physician has a hospital affiliation, that is a good sign that they have an extensive network and can refer you to the right people in case of a chronic illness or injury. With those connections in your insurance network, you can avoid the headache that finding a specialist can cause.
Can They Manage My Medication?
If you are on a psychotic medication or any other controlled substance, there might be additional barriers for some doctors as they may not prescribe controlled substances under certain conditions. Call and ask if they would be willing to work with you on managing these medications and see if they can even help you find a dose that works.