Family doctors provide essential healthcare to every member of your household - from toddlers with pink eye to special health concerns among adolescents and birth control issues. Furthermore, family doctors possess excellent knowledge regarding chronic illnesses that could require preventative healthcare measures.
Your insurance may also "in-network" them - so how can you select one that will best meet your needs?
1. Ask Around
No matter whether you have moved cities, changed health insurance providers or feel your current doctor doesn't meet your needs, taking time to locate an ideal family physician is crucial to overall wellbeing. Seek recommendations from friends, family members and healthcare providers such as pharmacists, optometrists, dentists or physical therapists as a starting point in finding one who fits.
Your current doctor is an excellent place to start when seeking recommendations - they may have attended medical school with many future providers and know of those whom they trust. Also consider asking at your local hospital or walk-in clinic as these organizations tend to know of health professionals accepting new patients and might have suggestions.
Finding a board-certified doctor in your area is ideal, as this ensures they meet nationally recognized standards of education, knowledge, experience and skills in their chosen field of medicine. That way you'll know they remain informed on the most up-to-date treatments and technologies.
2. Check Your Insurance
Most health insurance providers have negotiated discounted rates with doctors and hospitals in your area, known as networks, who participate in these special arrangements, so going outside these networks could result in higher out-of-pocket expenses for you.
Family physicians specialize in holistic healthcare for all stages of life and organ systems, from early development through old age. They develop strong, long-lasting physician-patient relationships with each of their patients.
Many health insurance providers provide search functions on their websites that enable customers to quickly locate doctors who accept your plan, however it's wise to call each doctor on the list and verify if they still accept your policy.
BC Health Care Connect allows you to register 24/7 online or by calling 811, and will have a nurse assist in finding you a primary care doctor or nurse practitioner who accepts your insurance plan and is accepting new patients in your community.
3. Look for a Convenient Location
Many health plans require patients to choose a primary care physician as part of their healthcare coverage. This physician should serve as your go-to source for questions related to healthcare or need referrals to specialists for issues like broken bones or infections.
Finding an accessible family doctor is paramount when selecting one. This may include factors like its proximity, whether or not they accept your insurance plan, evening/weekend hours available and any possible scheduling issues that might arise.
Consider also your personal preferences when choosing a family doctor, such as whether you prefer male or female physicians, and if they offer more natural approaches. While such details may seem minor, they can make a big difference when it comes to your comfort and the overall quality of care provided.
4. Look for a Doctor You Feel Comfortable With
Finding a physician you feel confident with is paramount to good health. Make sure your insurance covers them, get referrals from friends and family or search your health insurer's website to locate providers in their network.
A good physician will take time to get to know their patients and their healthcare needs, from lifestyle, medical history and family health to preventive health screenings like mammography or cholesterol screenings. Family physicians also know how to diagnose and treat common conditions as well as refer them to specialists or community resources; family physicians possess extensive knowledge on everything from treating pink eye in toddlers and bedwetting in adults to providing specialized adolescent care and birth control - not forgetting all the latest technologies available!
