Provider Directory

Help! I Need A Doctor

At some point in your life, you'll be looking for a new doctor. With a little extra effort on your part, finding a physician whose personality and credentials make you happy can be as easy as relearning your ABCs.

First determine whether your prospective physician offers the three A's - affability, availability, and ability. Be aware of your responsibility to provide and gather pertinent health information. And finally, research the C's - credentials, certification, competence, and convenience.

Here are some of the ways you can assess physician candidates.

• Professional education (medical school/residency training) - Has he or she attended an accredited medical school and fulfilled his or her residency requirements? Call the American Medical Association at 800.665.2882 for information on training, specialties and certification or access the Web site at www.ama-assn.org/aps/amahg.htm, then click on Physician Select.
  
  
• Current board certification - Being "board certified" means a doctor has completed a training program in a specialty and has passed an exam to assess his or her knowledge, skills, and experience to provide quality patient care in that specialty. Primary care physicians also may be certified as specialist. While board certification is a good measure of a doctor's knowledge, it is possible to receive quality care from physicians who are not board certified. To inquire about a specific doctor, call the American Board of Medical Specialties at 866.275.2267 or check the Web site at www.abms.org.
  
  
• Years in practice - To many people, experience speaks volumes. To others, signing up with a new doctor who just put out his or her signal means they are receiving the most up-to-date care. Choosing between years of experience and a fresh face hinges more on personal preference then professional ability since all physicians must meet strict standards to practice medicine.
  
  
• Experience performing certain procedures - Does this physician regularly perform the procedure you need? How many of these procedures does he or she perform each year? You may feel more comfortable engaging the services of someone who not only routinely performs the procedure you need, but also has excellent patient outcomes.
  
  
• Languages spoken - Do you or a member of your family have special language needs? Make sure your physician of choice either speaks the necessary language or has immediate access to an interpreter.
  
  
• Can we talk? - The ability to comfortably converse with your physician makes a distinct difference in your perception of quality health care. Talking with your doctor allows for a free exchange of information and gives you time to ask important questions that affect you and your family.
  
  
• Etc. - Other considerations include office hours and location, availability of preventive medicine programs, hospital privileges, and health plan participation.
  
  

If you are unable to locate the information you need in our online Provider Directory, you may call our Customer Service Department at 800.722.3644 or 269.341.7200.