Choosing a Doctor: Ob Gyn Search Practices That Make Sense
When it comes to choosing the right doctor, ob gyn experts agree that there are a number of good practices that a patient should use in their search. Finding the right physician can make a world of difference in not only the quality of treatment you receive, but your level of comfort when visiting the office.
Understandably,
many women feel hesitant or nervous about making a trip to the doctor, ob gyn practitioners in particular. By following these steps, you can find a physician you’re comfortable with that will give you the best treatment you can find.
Is He Or She Certified?
One of the first steps you should make is to see which physicians in your area are certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. If a physician is not board certified by this association, or at least board eligible, this could be a cause for concern. For this reason, you are better off skipping them and going to the next physician on your list of possibilities. Not being board certified will also sometimes mean that your insurance won’t cover a visit to their offices, which is generally not a good thing.
Will Your Insurance Pay for your visit?
Speaking of insurance, your health insurance plan may not only help you narrow down your decision, but somewhat limit your freedom to choose the physician you want. As it stands, this is a double edge sword, one which has come under a great deal of criticism. That is beyond the scope of our purposes here, however. The fact is that you will be much better off finding a physician that is in your network. It will save you a great deal of money, both for the cost of the visit and for any out of pocket costs that could come with medications or further examinations.
Of course, one of the best ways to find any doctor, ob gyn specialists included, is by word of mouth. This can mean asking friends and family who they prefer or it could mean asking your family physician for a direct referral. Today, there is another option that is being used by many people across the country. There are several open review websites that let patients provide reviews and ratings after visiting a physician. You can browse the listings for your area and see what people are saying about the medical care professionals in your city. This can make your decision much easier.
