Choosing A Primary Care Physician

In most managed care plans, you’ll have to choose a primary care physician when you enroll. Your primary care physician is the doctor you’ll see on a regular basis, so it's important to find the right one for you.

Primary care physicians are among the most important members of the healthcare system, because they provide the preventive care that keeps people healthy. They catch and treat the little issues before they turn into full-blown health problems.

In HMO plans, you’ll need a “referral” from your primary care physician to get specialist care or hospital treatment. POS plans are less restrictive — your primary care physician can refer you to a specialist in the plan’s network, but even without a referral you’ll get some coverage when you see a specialist.

What Kind Of Doctors Are Available?

Most primary care physicians practice these kinds of medicine:

• Family Medicine — Doctors who practice family medicine provide care for everyone from newborns to adults. This is a good choice if you’d like your entire family to see the same doctor.
• Internal Medicine — Internal medicine doctors provide primary and advanced care for adults. They generally see everyone from teenagers to seniors.
• Obstetrics/Gynecology — OB/GYN doctors specialize in women’s health. They can provide primary care, and more advanced maternity care. Many women choose OB/GYN’s as their primary care provider.
• Pediatrics — Pediatricians specialize in children’s medicine. Most pediatricians see children from the time they’re newborns until their early teenage years.

What Should You Look For In A Primary Care Physician?

Since you’re going to see your primary care physician regularly, you’re going to want someone you can develop a good relationship with. Here are a few things you should look for:

• Certification. Make sure the doctor you choose is board-certified.
• Tenure. How long has the doctor been practicing?
• Office. Is the doctor part of a group practice, or do they practice individually?
• Personality. Is the doctor someone you can get along with?
• Location. Is the doctor’s office in a place that’s convenient for you to get to?

Getting Started With A Health Plan

One of the most important parts about choosing a health plan is making sure its network includes doctors that meet your needs. To make finding a provider easy, most insurance carriers have online directories of the doctors in their networks.

To find the right plan, you’ll want to compare your options from several insurance agents. You can use our free service to get matched with agents licensed in your area. All it takes is two minutes. Just fill out this short form to get your free quotes. The agents we work with can answer your questions and help you choose an affordable plan that meets your needs — and has the right doctor for you.