How to Find a General Physician

In need of a good MD for yourself and family? One who's nearby, highly recommended, hospital-affiliated and properly accredited? Someone whose office you can call to make an appointment in a reasonable amount of time? While there are many factors to consider when selecting your first general practitioner or changing physicians, there are many ways to find doctors from which to choose.

Things You'll Need

• Phone
• Internet access
• Telephone directory

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Instructions

• 1

  Ask around. Question friends, relatives and neighbors about which doctors they recommend and why. Keep a list of referrals.

• 2

  Obtain a directory of plan physicians from your medical insurance provider if you have coverage. Phone your insurance company and request a provider book or list, or search online at your insurance company's website. Consider a doctor's hospital affiliation as well as office location.

• 3

  Check your local phone directory's yellow pages for physicians in your area. Call their offices and ask about practice policies on billing and payment, appointments and cancellations, days and hours of availability, responding to patient phone messages, referrals to specialists and other physicians, annual health tests, preventive care, prescription medication, and surgery.

• 4

  Investigate a physician's background -- such as board certification, medical school information, residency location, years in practice and history of malpractice -- at the websites of your State Department of Health, State Medical Board, the American Board of Medical Specialties, American Medical Association Doctor Finder, Angie's List and HealthGrades. Make an educated choice.