Ask HN: How do you find a doctor in the USA?
Finding a primary care physician is one of the most challenging things a "normal" adult has to deal with these days. They are supposed to get to know you as an individual and be a central point of care, but these days they often don't have time to do anything like that. So, what are normal people to do?
11 comments
What are you're expectations of their involvement? They general require one visit to "get to know you" and establish you as a patient. They might not make it really personal, but they just need to examine you and make sure your history is correct. Then it's just a matter of contacting them when you need care.
Usually your insurance web portal will have a search feature for providers and tell you if they're in-network. I would guess there could be third party ones too. I remember seeing info like location, ratings, reviews, and certifications.
It should not be very challenging.
Usually your insurance web portal will have a search feature for providers and tell you if they're in-network. I would guess there could be third party ones too. I remember seeing info like location, ratings, reviews, and certifications.
It should not be very challenging.
Picking a GP is a crap-shoot: you'll have to try until you're tired of searching and settle on one you're comfortable with. Friends' recommendations will usually prove to not be a fit. There's no FaceBook or Apple app that can match you well with a GP (or specialist). This is largely the doctors' doing - they don't want their data public. Someday it'll happen and we'll be able to do some matching, but that is not yet a reality.
So for now its a personal relationship: what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Unless you have a twin or clone who can recommend a GP, you simply must do the search.
So for now its a personal relationship: what works for one person won't necessarily work for another. Unless you have a twin or clone who can recommend a GP, you simply must do the search.
A regular physician (like a family doctor) works out better if they are close to home. A specialist is better (usually) when they are affiliated with a large or prestigious university.
Sometimes you can ask friends or family who they like, or who they think are good. Sometimes you roll the dice and try someone who seems appealing. If the first visit makes you uncertain or uncomfortable, do not go back -- find another. (I've got this story about a dentist who conducted dental torture on me once...)
Sometimes medical insurance dictates that you choose from a list. Choose a doctor close to home, give them a shot, and change if you don't feel like they can/will provide you with good care.
A good doctor can explain things. A good doctor can discuss uncertainties. A good doctor is always learning, and always willing to research new topics. A good doctor is willing to refer you to someone else (or an expert) and admit when they just don't know the answer.
Sometimes you can ask friends or family who they like, or who they think are good. Sometimes you roll the dice and try someone who seems appealing. If the first visit makes you uncertain or uncomfortable, do not go back -- find another. (I've got this story about a dentist who conducted dental torture on me once...)
Sometimes medical insurance dictates that you choose from a list. Choose a doctor close to home, give them a shot, and change if you don't feel like they can/will provide you with good care.
A good doctor can explain things. A good doctor can discuss uncertainties. A good doctor is always learning, and always willing to research new topics. A good doctor is willing to refer you to someone else (or an expert) and admit when they just don't know the answer.
> A good doctor can explain things. A good doctor can discuss uncertainties. A good doctor is always learning, and always willing to research new topics. A good doctor is willing to refer you to someone else (or an expert) and admit when they just don't know the answer.
Unfortunately, a good doctor is rare.
Unfortunately, a good doctor is rare.
Look for referrals from people who are established in the area. Not just for the endorsement, but because good GPs are often not accepting new patients and a referral can help.
For those outside of the USA, things here are stupid. You have to find a doctor who is in your insurance network, AND is accepting new patients, and then VERIFY with the insurance company that they are still in network, as contracts expire. You might have to switch doctors at any random point later for this same reason, or pay out of pocket for each and every visit, the "cash" price.
The only time I've ever seen a doctor change their insurance networks was when the entire practice got bought and absorbed into some other company. Maybe I've just been lucky because I've always been on major carriers.
I've had employers change insurance (and thus networks) every year to avoid a huge increase in rates, and had to ping pong between pharmacies, fortunately, I was able to keep the same doctor through it all.
I got some good suggestions when I asked this same question a few years back[1].
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14755732
[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14755732
If you are on facebook, join a local Group and ask the community. This has been one of the best ways to find any good professionals.
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