9 steps to help you find the right dily
Choosing a primary care doctor is one of the most important health decisions you’ll make. And thanks in part to the Affordable Care Act, which has dramatically increased the number of people with health insurance, more people than ever are now searching for a physician they can call their own.
“Unfortunately, it’s hard to find reliable, easy-to-understand information about specific doctors or practices,” Doris Peter, Ph.D., director of the Consumer Reports Health Ratings Center, said. “Sure, you can check out physician reviews on sites such as Yelp and Angie’s List, but do you really want to find a de way you do a restaurant or plumber? Probably not.”
Still, there are strategies and resources that can help you find a new doctor or check up on one you already have. Here’s why it’s so important to find a good primary care doctor, what to focus on in your search, and where to go for the information you need.
Get a Go-To Doctor
More and more insurance plans require that you choose one physician to serve as your main resource. That go-to person can not only help you with day-to-day health problems such as the flu or a sprained ankle but also refer you to specialists when necessary and, important, oversee all of the care you get.
“It may seem like a burden or restrictive to have to choose a primary care provider,” Orly Avitzur, M.D., medical director at Consumer Reports, said. “But everyone needs a project manager, so to speak, to help you navigate our confusing health care system.”
Growing research suggests that people who have a strong relationship christian connection promo codes with a physician not only report greater satisfaction with their care but also may enjoy better health. (more…)