| Updated: 4/11/2007 4:50 pm |
Published: 4/11/2007 4:50 pm |
An important factor when choosing a specialist is finding a physician you're comfortable with who meets your particular needs. You may be restricted by your insurance carrier to choose from a list of doctors. If this is the case, first look in your insurance's provider handbook and get a list of providers in your area. Here are some additional tips to keep in mind. Look for a doctor who's board certified. If you have an underlying illness, you may want to find a doctor who sub-specializes in that particular disorder. Find out how long they've been in practice. You may want to ask if the doctor offers a free consultation for prospective patients. This enables you to talk to the doctor before making an appointment. Ask who will see you if the doctor's out of town. Which hospitals are they affiliated with? You may want to see if the hospital has an ante-partum (ANN-tee-PAR-tum) program and level two neo-natal nursery. Also, you can call the hospital to arrange for a tour of the maternity facility. And last but not least, a referral from a friend or relative who feels confident in the care they're receiving from their doctor is always a good place to begin.
