How to Choose the Best Family Medical Doctor

Most adults catch around one to three colds every year. And when you’re sick, the last thing on your to-do list is waiting a few weeks for your symptoms to go away. You want to feel better ASAP, but it’s not always easy to find the perfect family medical doctor.

Here are some tips to find a person who’s available, quick to respond, and knows their stuff when it comes to your health worries. Keep reading if you want a doctor who can help you when you need it most.

Find an In-Network Doctor

Confirm that your potential doctor is in your health insurance network since it’ll affect how much cash you need for their services. If they’re not in your insurance plan, you’ll have to cover enormous co-pays and deductibles—and that’ll drain your pockets!

To save as much as possible, ask your insurance provider for a list of accepted clinics. Review a few different primary care options before you book an appointment.

Availability

If your primary care doctor makes you wait two whole days for an appointment, forget about them. You don’t want to be sitting around twiddling your thumbs when a loved one is feeling under the weather. Look for a doctor who’s qualified but not popular or busy, so you can drop in on a moment’s notice.

Ask yourself: is this clinic open on nights and weekends like PHC is? If they’re willing to work with your schedule, that’s a major plus. That way, you can book appointments that fit your relatives’ busy lives.

Your doctor should also be willing to provide help through texts and phone calls. Doctors who require you to book an appointment for every minor problem aren’t worth your time.

Friendly Staff

The front desk should welcome your entire family. If you have questions about the doctor’s background or training, they should be able to answer them. They should also tell you what to expect during the appointment, what paperwork you need to fill out, and how much time you’ll have with the doctor.

If this isn’t clear from the start, it’s a sign that something is wrong.

Restrictions

The doctor you choose will be your primary care physician. They handle all your medical needs and refer you to specialists when necessary.

But not every doctor is trained to offer the same services, so it’s important to know your doctor’s scope of practice before choosing them. For example, some family medicine doctors don’t provide gynecological care.

Choose the Right Family Medical Doctor

If you’re looking for a family medical doctor, look for one who’s in your health insurance network. Their office staff should be professional, friendly, and helpful, as well as able to answer any questions you may have about your treatment plan.

Until you find the right doctor, make sure your family stays healthy by checking out our health articles. Don’t wait until you’re sick to start taking care of yourself.