Patient Info
How to Choose a Doctor
Establishing yourself with a doctor who understands your unique needs and has the training to address them is one of the most important steps to ensuring your long-term health and well-being.
Use our Find a Doctor tool to search for a doctor by location, name or specialty. Read through the doctor profiles and learn more about their areas of interest and training. Once you have the names of a few doctors, call their office to get more information.
Some things that you should ask include:
- Is the doctor part of your health plan's physician network?
- What is the doctor's special training?
- Is the office easy to get to?
- What are the office hours?
- How many doctors are in the practice?
- Who will cover for your doctor when he/she is not available?
Once you find a doctor who meets your needs, schedule an appointment so you can meet and talk to the doctor.
Make the Most of Your Doctor Visit
Our providers are passionate about helping patients achieve their health and well-being goals, but your input is just as important as their expertise. No one knows you like you do, so we encourage you to build a relationship with your provider...to share your thoughts, hopes and fears. Together you can come up with treatment options that best fit your lifestyle, beliefs and goals.
Tips:
- Speak up. Let your provider know that you want to be a partner in your health care. Tell him or her what your expectations are.
- Be an active participant. Listen carefully and actively to what your provider says. If something isn't clear, don't be afraid to ask questions. Tell your provider if you don't think you can follow the prescribed treatment for any reason.
- Educate yourself. Use resources such as the Internet, our online health encyclopedia and symptom navigator to learn about your condition. Share your thoughts and concerns about what you learn with your provider.
- Prepare your child. Before you see the doctor, tell your child what to expect and encourage him or her to ask questions.
|
