“What’s Up, Doc?” Blog Series Part 1: How to Find a Doctor

Wanna get more out of your visit with the doctor?  Here’s a great 2005 LA Times article coupled with expertise from The Insurance Mom herself.  Despite the new world order created by the Affordable Care Act, this info will still help you find a doctor!

Watch for our new multi-part blog series, “What’s Up, Doc?” We’ll be sharing some tips & tricks about how find a good doc, how to talk to your doc, how to get the most out of your health insurance and, ultimately, how to feel like your doc really “hears” you.

First steps first…. find a doctor you know and trust.  The Congressional Quarterly recently shared a report from the CDC which says up to 26.7 % of Americans may have access to healthcare now, but they don’t have a “usual place for medical care.”    They “haven’t found the right provider or been diligent about making appointments to see them.”  With more people using insurance now more than ever, doctor’s offices are busy and only taking certain types of insurance.    We call that “rationed health care.”

You don’t want Dr. Do-little, so now it’s time to research, research, research!  You do it for the best new sushi bar, or best deal on contractors and best prices for a car, why not with your doctors?

1. Call The Insurance Mom.  She has loads of recs for docs in the LA area.
2. Search your insurance company website to find a doctor in your immediate area.   Remember… IN-network means oodles of money-saving!
3. Compare that list of IN-network docs to Yelp OR HealthGrades or RateMD’s.
4. Don’t wait until you’re sick to get in with a doc.  Use a check-up as a good intro to meet & greet your new doctor (that way if/when you get sick you have a familiar face at your appointment).  Your check-up is a good chance for you and the doc to get to know each other and talk about your medical history.  REMEMBER $0 for your annual check-up if you have ACA-compliant insurance as long as you just go for a preventative care visit and follow our list exactly.  Click here for the preventative care guidelines.  Anything over that, you’ll see a bill from the doc.

Please feel free to write me with any additional tip and tricks or FAQ’s.  I’m here to make this insurance stuff as painless (pun intended) as possible!

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