There are several reasons you might need to find a new Medicare doctor, such as moving to a new city, aging into Medicare, not being completely happy with your current Medicare doctor or if your doctor is retiring. The Medicare doctor search can be daunting, but the resources available at NewPrimaryCare.com™ can help you get started. Not sure where to begin? Enter your ZIP code in our Find a Doctor search tool to easily find doctors who accept Medicare in your area.
Once you narrow down your search to a few doctors who accept Medicare, your next step should be to reach out to their offices and ask questions to make sure you select a provider who is the right fit.
At this information-gathering stage, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. Below are some important questions to ask when you begin your Medicare doctor search.
Do you have any special areas of expertise?
As you age, your health care needs become more complex. Look for a doctor who specializes in caring for seniors, as well as your specific conditions.
What do I do if I need after hours care?
It’s essential to know what to do if you have a health issue outside of office hours. Ask them how they handle emergencies if you can’t get a hold of them, as well as who covers for the doctor when they are unavailable. Knowing this information will help you feel more at ease if you run into an issue off the clock.
How easy is it to schedule an appointment?
With some doctor’s offices, it can be difficult to get a timely appointment. You shouldn’t have to wait so long to be seen, so you should ask if it is possible to get appointments easily and quickly. Is it easy to get through to someone at their office? Do they schedule appointments online? It’s also a good idea to ask if they offer supplementing telehealth appointments or home visits.
How long do appointments usually last?
No one likes to feel rushed through an appointment. Especially as you get older, your health needs become more involved, so your Medicare MD should spend adequate one-on-one time with each patient to fully get to know them and be able to provide truly personalized care.
Can you schedule a tour of their facility?
In some cases, visiting the doctor’s facility and taking a tour can help you get a better sense of what your health care experience will be like. Ask if you can schedule a tour to see the location and learn what they have to offer Medicare patients.
Do you offer a collaborative health care model?
Consider asking if they follow a collaborative model like value-based care. Value-based care ensures dedicated senior care specialists are all working together to help coordinate your health care. All doctors in the NewPrimaryCare.com directory follow this model, which is ideal for the multifaceted needs of seniors.
Start your Medicare doctor search with NewPrimaryCare.com
Ready to find a new Medicare doctor to provide the personalized health care you deserve? Enter your ZIP code in our Find a Doctor tool to get started, today.
