Sometimes our little ones require several different healthcare providers, and it takes research to find the right ones. Here’s a guide to help you do that!
by Atomic Mommy Editors
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As moms, our little ones tend to take up all of our time. We constantly worry about them, stress over their bumps and bruises, and when they get sick, we stress over their discomfort, pain, and have this overall desire to just make them feel better fast! That’s why finding new healthcare providers is always an important task for us.
All parents know, we don’t always get to choose the healthcare providers we want, sometimes we just have to pick the ones that are in-network. More than this, we also have to have a list of backup doctors in case one of our healthcare providers is away, sick, or no longer takes our insurance.
Let’s go over why it’s important to have more than one provider and the tips you need to help you find a new one.
Have More Than One Healthcare Provider
The growing pressure on primary care physicians has increased so much in recent years that the average provider needs just under a 28-hour day to be able to provide adequate healthcare for each patient on their books. This is just for their working day, too.
With physicians being stretched to their limits, it makes sense that some patients will bear the consequences of not being able to get an appointment or the treatment they need on the day they need it. This is the #1 reason why having more than one healthcare provider is so important.
While finding a new physician isn’t easy, there are certainly many additional reasons why you would need to find a new doctor; reasons like your main provider coming out of your network, or needing a specialist. So the following tips will help you ask the right questions when searching. Here’s a few of the things you need to ask as you sift through the providers on your list.
#1 Which Hospitals They Work With
Regardless of whether you choose a primary care physician, a neurosurgeon, or urgent care services, you’ll need to know which hospital they work with. This is important because if you find a doctor that you really like and they don’t work with your local hospital, then you’ll find that you won’t have that doctor to treat you if you ever find yourself in an emergency situation at the hospital. And that’s not fun! So, be sure to ask this really important question.
#2 Ask Google for the Reviews
Always look for reviews from current or previous patients and ask family and friends, or colleagues for opinions, too. Don’t forget to use the trusty ol’ internet to find business reviews.
Many doctors will have their own websites, which means people might be able to leave reviews directly, but you can go to popular review websites such as Trust Pilot, Yelp, and Google for reviews on different providers as well as look at patient satisfaction scores too. Remember to not hone in on specifics, but look for general themes and phrases people are usging to help you get a more accurate picture rather than potentially disgruntled previous patients’ fake reviews.
#3 Insurance
If you have an insurance provider, ask them for a list of in-network healthcare providers. They’ll need to provide you with that so your doctor can send them claims and get paid. Sometimes, insurance doesn’t send that list to you. Sometimes, you need to go on their site, create an account, and search for the providers. Then, you’ll have to call each one that pops up to verify if they currently take your health insurance.
What most parents don’t realize is that many doctors are either cash only, no insurance accepted, or they require an upfront payment and will give you the bill with insurance codes to send to your own health insurance for reimbursement. This makes it very difficult to find healthcare providers that are affordable, provide great care, and are in-network.
#4 Location
You need to be able to access your doctor’s office easily; that’s a given. So pinpoint a radius from your home that you can easily travel to should you need to visit urgently. Check how is easy it is to access their office via car, public transport, and even by foot if you don’t drive. You should also make sure the location is triangulated between your work, your child’s school, and the hospital, because it’ll be that much easier to get the care you need as soon as you need it.
#5 Hours
You’ll need to find out the hours of your new doctor. If their hours do not match your work hours or your family’s needs, then it wouldn’t be wise to go with such a choice. Here are some of the things to look for in terms of hours:
- Do they have weekend hours?
- Are they open 24/7?
- Who covers the doctor when they’re unavailable?
- Is there a call service for emergencies or to book appointments?
- What are the lunch hours?
- Do they take same day appointments?
Asking those questions will help you figure out which doctor is best for you and your family.
#6 Illnesses Treated
What’s the point of finding a new healthcare provider if the one you choose doesn’t treat the illness or injuries you need to be treated. So, one of the tasks you’ll have to complete is looking on their website for services offered and treatments provided. While there, you should also take a look if they have other in-house service such as x-rays, MRI’s, phlebotomists, and nurse practitioners. Knowing this extra information will help you make an informed decision.
#7 Ask for a Meeting
In case you are torn between two providers, you should request a meet and greet with them, in-person. Be sure to bring your partner and children. Why? Because a doctor’s bedside manner will mean the difference between a happy visit or a stressful one. Plus, you’ll want to see how well they communicate, how they share information with you, and how friendly they are. No one wants to visit a doctor that has terrible manners, is super stressed, or simply does not want to answer to all of your questions.
#8 Trust your Gut
At the end of the day, you will need to trust your gut to pick the right healthcare provider for you. Go over all of the information you’ve gathered. Read the reviews on Google. Ask friends and family about who they chose. Your instinct will kick in and help you finalize your choice.
In Conclusion
Finding a new physician isn’t a fun task, but it is important for your health that you get a provider you feel comfortable with and can provide you with the care you need.