How to choose doctor?

 When you choose a primary care doctor for yourself or a loved one, make sure to choose a doctor you can trust. A primary care doctor can:

• Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, like screening tests and shots
• Treat many health problems — including physical and mental health issues
• Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue

When you and your doctor work together as a team, you’ll get better health care. Look for a doctor who:

• Treats you with respect
• Listens to your opinions and concerns
• Encourages you to ask questions
• Explains things in ways you understand

Try the following tips to find a doctor who’s right for you.

Choosing doctor

When you choose a primary care doctor for yourself or a loved one, make sure to choose a doctor you can trust. A primary care doctor can:

• Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, like screening tests and shots
• Treat many health problems — including physical and mental health issues
• Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue

When you and your doctor work together as a team, you’ll get better health care. Look for a doctor who:

• Treats you with respect
• Listens to your opinions and concerns
• Encourages you to ask questions
• Explains things in ways you understand

Try the following tips to find a doctor who’s right for you.

Ask for recommendations from people you know.

Getting a reference from someone you know and trust is a great way to find a doctor.

• Ask friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers if they have a doctor they like.
• If you are looking for a new doctor because yours is retiring or moving, ask your current doctor for a recommendation.

Check with your insurance company.

If you have health insurance, you may need to choose from a list of doctors in your plan's network (doctors that take your insurance plan). Some insurance plans may let you choose a doctor outside the network if you pay more of the cost.

• Call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who take your insurance plan – or use the insurance company’s website to search for a doctor.
• Once you've checked with your insurance company, call the doctor’s office, too. Ask them to confirm that they take your specific health insurance plan.

If you don’t have health insurance, you’ll have to pay for health care out of pocket (on your own). This can be very expensive. For help finding insurance, visit HealthCare.gov.