| Switching doctors may seem like a daunting task, | | | | - Office policies (what types of patients they see, |
| still it may be necessary when we move or the | | | | walk-in hours, appointments, etc.) |
| doctor we usually see retires. | | | | - Insurance the office takes / whether they file |
| This article provides some tips for locating | | | | insurance claims for you |
| another primary physician and is useful for senior | | | | - Payment methods / whether they take |
| citizens and those coordinating their elder care. | | | | Medicare |
| One of the first things to consider is the type of | | | | - Local hospitals that work with the office for |
| doctor that is best. Generally, senior citizens can | | | | patients who need diagnostic work or treatment |
| choose among the following for basic healthcare | | | | - Board certification of the doctor(s) who work at |
| needs: | | | | the office for specialties that they practice |
| - General practitioner: healthcare providers than | | | | - Communication skills of the doctor, how well she |
| have no specific focus and can address a wide | | | | he will explain things or listen to you |
| range of medical problems | | | | - Location of the doctor's office |
| - Family practitioner: this is similar to a general | | | | - Whether the lab work is done at the office or |
| practitioner, except they may be more | | | | another location, which would determine if the |
| experienced in providing care to alarger variety of | | | | patient has to travel to other locations |
| age groups | | | | - Types and number of doctors working at the |
| - Internist: these physicians practice specifically on | | | | office |
| adults and have various specialties depending on | | | | - Coverage when the doctor is out of town or |
| training | | | | unavailable |
| - Geriatricians: focus is on senior citizens | | | | - Whether the doctor(s) see senior citizens often |
| Once you know which kind of doctor will fit your | | | | or others who may experience your specific |
| needs the best, a good place to start looking is | | | | health problems |
| with people you know. Family and friends can | | | | - Whether the doctor(s) makes referrals to other |
| provide good first-hand experience and advise | | | | specialists |
| about doctors that they see and can make | | | | - Whether the doctor(s) treats conditions most |
| recommendations. Or, if you are already receiving | | | | similar to yours |
| health care services from a different type of | | | | After researching the physician and calling the |
| provider, such as an in home health care agency, | | | | doctor's office, make an appointment. To prepare |
| they may be able to recommend a doctor that | | | | for the first appointment, it is a good idea to |
| they work with. It is good to have a few options | | | | make a list of questions that you may still have |
| in case some of the doctors are not taking new | | | | about your own health concerns as well as any |
| patients. Finally, if this does not prove useful, | | | | extra information about the doctor. It is also a |
| contacting a hospital, medical society, physician | | | | good idea to have a list of medications, vitamins, |
| referral service, or medical schools can lead to | | | | or other non-food supplements aken regularly. |
| more names of physicians. If you use Medicare or | | | | During the appointment, a nurse will usually see |
| Medicaid, you may want to check with your plan's | | | | you first in order to take blood pressure and |
| membership services office to check the list of | | | | explain procedures if you are having trouble taking |
| doctors they provide for. | | | | medications. When the doctor sees you, they will |
| Typically, senior citizens who seek healthcare will | | | | ask about your medical history or medical |
| need medical insurance which pays for visits to | | | | problems that have been in your family. They will |
| the doctor or expensive medical treatments | | | | then examine you. It is important to be prepared |
| deemed necessary by a physician. Medicare health | | | | with medical records, lists of allergies you are |
| insurance is a government program that most | | | | aware of, or other information you think may be |
| senior citizens qualify for due to their age and | | | | relevant for your doctor to know. Here are some |
| limited resources. Senior citizens with Medicare | | | | questions that some people find helpful to ask |
| pay a monthly fee in exchange for hospital and | | | | their doctors: |
| prescription drug coverage, however plans will | | | | - Will you give me written instructions about my |
| vary by cost, types of coverage, and eligibility. | | | | care? |
| Once you find a new doctor and have a secure | | | | - May I bring a family member to doctor's visits? |
| method of paying for healthcare, your old doctor | | | | - Are you willing to talk to my family about my |
| will facilitate the switch by providing medical | | | | medical conditions? |
| records to the new doctor that you choose. | | | | - Will you maintain my privacy if I ask you not to |
| However, make sure that you have visited the | | | | discuss my condition with anyone else? |
| new doctor and are certain that you wish to | | | | After the appointment, make your own |
| switch to that particular one. | | | | assessment about the quality of the visit. If you |
| It is important to look for doctors who are | | | | found the doctor helpful and easy to talk to, then |
| trained, competent, and take the time to get to | | | | you may want to stay with that doctor. |
| know you. This type of relationship with a doctor | | | | Otherwise, you can make appointments with |
| is the most conducive to preventing health issues | | | | other doctors until you find one that fits your |
| and efficiently managing existing health issues. To | | | | needs. Most importantly, you should find someone |
| find this kind of information about a doctor, it is | | | | that you can work with and form a relationship |
| helpful to call the offices where these doctors | | | | with in order to make treating and diagnosing |
| work. Office receptionists can giveinformation | | | | possible medical issues the most efficient. |
| about: | | | | |