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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:
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\n - Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, like screening tests and shots
\n - Treat many health problems \u2014 including physical and mental health issues
\n - Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue
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When you and your doctor work together as a team, you\u2019ll get better health care. Look for a doctor who:
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\n - Treats you with respect
\n - Listens to your opinions and concerns
\n - Encourages you to ask questions
\n - Explains things in ways you understand
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Try the following tips to find a doctor who\u2019s right for you.
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Ask for recommendations from people you know.
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Getting a reference from someone you know and trust is a great way to find a doctor.
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\n - Ask friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers if they have a doctor they like.
\n - If you are looking for a new doctor because yours is retiring or moving, ask your current doctor for a recommendation.
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Check with your insurance company.
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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.
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\n - Call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who take your insurance plan \u2013 or use the insurance company\u2019s website to search for a doctor.
\n - Once you've checked with your insurance company, call the doctor\u2019s office, too. Ask them to confirm that they take your specific health insurance plan.
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If you don\u2019t have health insurance, you\u2019ll have to pay for health care out of pocket (on your own). This can be very expensive. For help finding insurance, visit HealthCare.gov.
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Learn more about your top choices.
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Make a list of the doctors you're interested in. Be sure to think about how easy or difficult it will be to travel to an appointment.
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Call their offices to learn more about them. The answers to the following questions may help you make the best decision.
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Questions about the doctor:
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\n - Is the doctor taking new patients?
\n - Is the doctor part of a group practice? If so, who are the other doctors that might sometimes see or help treat you?
\n - Who will see you if your doctor isn\u2019t available?
\n - Which hospital does the doctor use?
\n - If you have a medical condition, does the doctor have experience treating it?
\n - Does the doctor have special training or certifications?
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Questions about the office:
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\n - Do they offer evening or weekend appointments?
\n - What is the cancellation policy?
\n - How long will it take to get an appointment?
\n - How long do appointments usually last?
\n - Can you get lab work and x-rays done in the office?
\n - If you're more comfortable speaking in a language besides English, is there a doctor or nurse who speaks that language?
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Think about your experience after the first visit.
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Did the doctor and office staff...
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\n - Make you feel comfortable during your appointment?
\n - Explain things in a way that was easy to understand?
\n - Listen carefully to you?
\n - Show respect for what you had to say?
\n - Know important information about your medical history?
\n - Spend enough time with you?
\n - Give you a chance to ask questions?
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If you answer \u201cno\u201d to any of these questions, you may want to keep looking.
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