How to find a primary care provider you can afford—and trust

Having a strong relationship with a primary care provider is important for your health and wallet. A provider who’s familiar with your history and concerns is able to personalize medical care for you, which will save you time and money. If you have an ongoing condition, the right doctor can also help you manage it—and work with your other health professionals. But how do you choose the right one for you?

How to find a doctor

Instead of selecting a random healthcare provider from a Google search, try these suggestions to narrow down your search and find the perfect healthcare provider for your situation.  

1. Consider the type of primary care provider you need.

Are you relatively healthy and just need someone you trust for routine check-ups and the occasional prescription? Or do you have more significant health concerns and need someone with experience in a particular area of medicine? Do you prefer someone from a similar cultural background? Is this provider only for you or is a family practice a priority? These types of questions can help you focus on your health needs and whittle down a large initial list, says Rachel Trippett, MD, a family physician with the U.S. Public Health Service Indian Hospital. 

When you search for a primary care provider, you’ll often see internal medicine and family medicine providers. Both internists and family medicine doctors provide primary care but internists often see adult patients only whereas family medicine doctors see patients of all ages. For older adults, you may turn to a geriatrician instead.

Also consider the type of care center each provider works in. A smaller practice can mean more one-on-one time between patient and provider, which can offer a more comprehensive review of a patient’s health information at every appointment. On the other hand, a larger facility (say, within a hospital) could be a convenient one-stop-shop in the event that you need blood work, X-rays, or to be seen by a specialist on the same day.

2. Look up their credentials. 

It’s a good idea to find out whether a potential provider is board certified. In addition to their medical degree, these doctors have chosen to complete residency training and must have passed an exam and keep credentials up-to-date. You can visit Certification Matters to find out if your doctor is board certified. Additionally, you may want to verify their medical licensure in your state and see if there are any past or pending medical board disciplinary actions, criminal convictions, hospital discipline and medical malpractice payments.

3. Check with your insurance provider. 

If you have health insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare, you’ll likely want to choose a provider who accepts your insurance plan or whose office visit is subsidized. This is especially important for people with an HMO insurance plan, which requires patients to see in-network providers for insurance coverage. Visiting your insurance provider’s website should be one of the first steps to understand which providers in your area accept your insurance. If you do find a provider you really want to see who doesn’t accept your insurance, that’s not necessarily a deal breaker. Depending on your health plan, you may still be able to get reimbursed for part of the cost.

RELATED: How to see a doctor without insurance

4. Ask family, friends, and co-workers. 

Sure, you can browse review websites like Yelp and ZocDoc for reviews, but often the best recommendations come from people you know. Ask your social circle if they have a provider that they can refer you to­—and then ask why they are recommending that professional. Most people are happy to share their experiences, whether positive or negative. If you are transitioning out of a practice or moving, you may want to ask your current provider for a list of recommended providers.

5. Scope out the location, hours, and accessibility. 

Let’s be honest­—convenience matters. If your new doctor is on the other side of town and not near your work or home, you may be less inclined to visit the office. Is the provider accessible by public transportation or have easy and free/affordable parking? Searching for a health provider that’s near you will make it easier to keep your health in check.

Having schedules that mesh matters, too. If availability outside standard office hours is important, find out if they offer evening or weekend appointments. Also, inquire about after hours access (such as telephone service or other coverage) for urgent medical questions. Since COVID-19, virtual appointments have become much more common; are these available for non-emergencies or follow-up visits?

Finally, ask how they communicate with patients: Do they use a patient portal or offer text messaging services? These technology tools could make it easier to get care—or even questions answered—more quickly.

6. Have an initial chat. 

Sometimes everything can sound great on paper, but other aspects of the provider’s office may not be the right fit. Before committing to a provider, give the office a call. Find out if they’re accepting new patients (very important!), and what types of patients the provider enjoys working with.

Ask how long the average wait is to secure an appointment­­—are you going to have to wait months between each visit? Does the office staff seem helpful or are they in a rush to get you off the phone? When it comes to discussing your health, you want to feel as comfortable as possible, no matter who at the office you’re interacting with, and a phone screening can help with this.

RELATED: 5 things you shouldn’t keep from your doctor

7. Take notice of how you feel during an appointment. 

So you’ve followed the steps and think you’ve found the right provider for you. Now, pay attention to the experience during your first appointment. What’s the wait and waiting room like? Are the office staff friendly or does everyone seem miserable? Is the doctor interested in getting to know you and understanding your health concerns, or are they trying to rush you out the door?

You’ll want to see if their communication style matches yours as well. Are you the kind of person who cuts right to the point because of how busy you are? If so, a concise and no-nonsense provider might be a match for you. But if you appreciate genuine relationships and thorough conversation, that provider may not be a good fit for you.

The truth is, it’s incredibly important for you to get along with your provider, and one of the easiest ways to achieve that is to find someone with a similar communication style. After all, your health may literally depend on how well the two of you interact.

After your visit, if you don’t feel like this provider is the best option for you, that’s alright. You’re not required to continue seeing someone just because you had an appointment, Robert J. Samuelson, MD, a pulmonologist, internist, and primary care doctor at Horizon Medical Group says. It may take some time, but it’s worth continuing to shop around until you find one who you can trust with your health.

Next steps—let insurance know

Once you’ve settled on a new primary care physician, it’s time for a smooth transition. You may need to let your health insurance company know that you’re changing doctors (depending on the health insurance plan you have), and you also may want to contact your former healthcare provider.

Your former provider can transfer any medical records or test results they have on file to your new doctor; this can eliminate any unnecessary exams and help give your new doctor a better sense of your medical history. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this, you may be able to arrange for the new doctor’s office to request it instead.