Choosing a primary care provider for you or your family is an important task. Your primary care provider is generally the first place you turn to for your medical and health care needs. If you’re wondering why having a primary care provider is important, click here.
If you know that having a primary care provider is important, but you’re not sure how to choose one, read our five suggestions for choosing a primary care provider.
1. Start looking for a primary care provider before you have health complications.
Your primary care provider is there to see you regularly, and by seeing you often, they might be able to help you spot signs and symptoms of a condition that you did not know you have. Also, if you wait until you are sick to decide on a primary care provider, you might make a rushed and hasty decision.
2. Consider what providers are “in-network”.
If you are insured, you most likely have special rates and deals with certain doctors, hospitals, or clinics in your area and will pay less out of pocket for visiting those providers. This is called being “in-network”, and is something you’ll want to consider when choosing your primary care provider so that you are not surprised by “out-of-network” charges.
Many insurance companies provide a list of acceptable locations on their website, or you can call a potential provider you are considering ahead of time to see what insurance options they accept.
3. Find a convenient location.
Finding the time to visit your primary care provider can be hard, and it is made even harder when the location you choose is not convenient for you or your family. If you are more likely to go to a provider that is near you, consider all of your local options. You’ll also want to consider the provider’s office hours, as you’ll want to be able to go at a time that works with your schedule.
4. Talk to your family and friends.
When considering a new primary care provider, talk to your family and friends for their recommendations. If someone you trust has had a good experience with a primary care provider, it’s possible that you might like that provider as well.
5. Visit the office.
Hopefully, if you have completed the above suggestions, you will have found a place that you feel comfortable calling your medical home. To find out if the primary care provider is truly right for you, make an appointment and see how you like your first experience there. Think about some of these factors during this process:
- Is the office staff friendly and efficient?
- Do I feel comfortable with my provider?
- Did my provider listen to me and care about my medical history?
- How long did I have to wait?
- Was the appointment making process easy and smooth?
If at the end of the appointment process you did not like your experience, consider starting the search over until you find the right primary care provider for you. Remember – having a primary care provider is important and worth the search process!
Is the Family Health Clinic the right primary care provider for you?
Our Family Health Clinics are certified Patient Centered Medical Homes, which means we provide high-quality, patient-centered medical care. We accept most types of insurance and also offers financial assistance to those who are without insurance or are underinsured.
Our providers specialize in many areas of health, such as Women’s Health, Family Health, Adult Health, Pediatrics, and more. We also have behavioral health services.
If you’re trying to decide if one of the four Family Health Clinics should be your new primary care provider, we encourage you to make an appointment and come experience us for yourself.
To make an appointment, call (800) 321-5043.
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