Consumer advice: 10 questions for selecting a healthcare provider
Kristin Morales-Lemieux
Choosing a healthcare provider is often a daunting task. People living in Central Massachusetts have a wide array of local and regional providers to choose. Most of these people seek a new healthcare provider for a few key reasons: their previous provider no longer practices in the area; they need a new specialist or service; or they are unhappy with their current provider.
Selecting a primary care physician is usually the first step in accessing multiple levels of care. All PCPs are affiliated to some degree with a hospital or healthcare system and have relationships with surgeons, other specialists and related healthcare providers. PCPs can help their patients access and coordinate the best possible outcomes. They can also inform patients about which specialists and services are available in the area and which have highest patient satisfaction and health outcomes.
To select a primary care provider, patients should first determine where they would like to seek care and carefully consider any potential barriers. For example, if choosing a physician close to work but far from home, is it possible and advisable to get there when not feeling well? As part of your search, insurance companies can be a good resource.
Here are some questions to address:
- Will I be able to drive myself or get someone else to drive me to the office when I am ill?
- If using public transportation, is the office located on the bus route?
- Does the physician participate with my health insurance?
- What hospital or healthcare system is the physician associated with? Is it located near my home?
- Do I have to pay to park when visiting the physician’s office or the hospital?
- What are the physician’s hours?
- What accommodations does the physician have for after-hours and weekend care?
- Does the physician have nurse practitioners and/or physicians’ assistants in the office?
- Does the physician have an electronic health record to improve efficiencies?
- Will I have access to a patient portal to help me manage my care?
Patients with Medicare should consider whether they want to participate in a Medicare Advantage plan. Open enrollment for these plans is Oct. 15 – Dec. 7 each year. These plans, in general, offer greater benefits for less than what patients would pay for Medicare plus supplemental coverage. As a part of these plans, however, there are restricted networks of physicians and hospitals to choose from. This makes it very important to carefully analyze the network and use that information when evaluating products and making your selection.
Equally important to logistical and coverage considerations, the relationship between provider and patient is essential. Patients tend to do better when they feel comfortable in their environment, and this is especially true when they are sick.
Once you have chosen a new physician and team, schedule a first visit.
At your first visit, you should address any health concerns and also review how other providers have cared for you, what you feel has worked and where you would like to see changes.
Most importantly, consider how you feel when interacting with the physician. Having someone you feel you can comfortable with is most important, and since this largely has to do with personality and personal preference, don’t be afraid to try another physician if it doesn’t feel right.
Kristin Morales-Lemieux is vice president and chief operating officer of Harrington Physician Services, the primary care and multi-specialty outpatient physician practice of Harrington HealthCare System.
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