subject: How To Find A Local Doctor [print this page] While being able to find a local doctor should be simple, it is not always the case. Whether you are looking for a general practitioner or a specialist, there are certain steps that will help you end up in the right office, getting the assistance that you need. Don't just decide to randomly visit an office nearby. Consider doing a little bit of research to get the most out of your experience.
Start With Your Insurance Company
The first step is to find a local doctor that takes your current health insurance. In most cases, finding a provider within the network means lower co-pays or discounted costs. Check online to see if there is a list that you can reference. You may be able to put in your zip code and find physicians within a certain radius. You can search for a general practitioner or a specialist. If you already have someone in mind but you want to make sure that he or she is covered, you can type in the last name and perform a search. Remember that the website will also let you know if a certain office is taking on new patients. There is a chance that the doctor is at his or her maximum capacity and you will need to find someone else to see. However, once you are a patient in a given office, you do not have to worry about getting an appointment in the future.
Ask Family and Friends
Sometimes word of mouth is the best form of advertising. When someone mentions trying to find a local doctor, family and friends often have suggestions and for the most part, their information is valid. If you have certain concerns or you want to see a physician that has a certain bedside manner or takes patient later on in the evening, your friends will be sure to let you know. When you continue to hear the same person's name over and over again, you can assume that this is a person you want to make an appointment with. This does not mean that you must take a friends word on the matter. You can always double check on a physician's reputation online.
Check Online Reviews
Why not get the opinions of several people all at one time? There are a variety of different websites that offer patients a chance to learn more about a given physician. Again, there is always someone looking to find a local doctor. You can search by a practitioner's name and read any information provided by former or current patients. Make sure that you look at each review and take all of the details and information provided into consideration.
by: Anna Woodward
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