How to Properly Change Doctors

There are many circumstances that will make you transition from your preferred healthcare provider. This can be mainly due to all sorts of factors. For instance, you may have relocated to another town, or your insurance firm ceased to recognize your present doctor. You may not be satisfied with the work of the doctor or may think that the physician is indifferent to your health status.

What actually makes the situation comforting is the information that changing your doctor is not as complicated as most people assume. In this article, you will understand what steps you have to follow if you want to transfer from the old provider to the new one.

1.   Schedule a Visit With Current Provider

We recommend that you go back to your current provider one more time before going to a new provider. In this particular visit, you’re not only going to educate the physician that you’re going to change but also to prepare documents  for a new doctor. Depending on the treatment being provided for your conditions, the provider should ensure that they detail you fully on your conditions and any details concerning medication.

prepare documentsRemember that it is not mandatory that you make this visit if you are uncomfortable with the work done by the doctor, if you wish to get another opinion. There are patients who will wait to stage a prior appointment with their existing provider, so that they may jam or argue with them. As for us, this is time-space _{1} to kill and will only divert your attention away from your primary purpose – to practice.

2.   Seek a New Provider Before the Switch

Before you quit with your current provider, make sure to find the right successor. The last thing you need is to be left stranded without a doctor, especially if you're struggling with a major medical issue. Here are a few tricks that will help you find the right person:

• You need to determine your specific needs and wants. Do you have a specific condition you’re struggling with? Do you wish to focus on preventative health? Based on these answers, you’ll find a specialist who has the necessary experience and expertise.

• Recommendations can help you find a provider who is gentle, considerate, and proficient. Ask family members if they know someone who can help you with your particular condition. Through word of mouth, you can receive treatment that is similar to that of your family members.

• Don't hesitate to ask your current provider for recommendations. Doctors have lots of colleagues who can give you top-quality service. Similarly, you can go to local hospitals and clinics and check their doctors' listings.

• National and local healthcare groups can assist you, as well. Local organizations can point you in the right direction and might even share some information regarding affordable drugs and health services. We should also consider using online directories such as DoctorFinder.

Finding the right person is vital, especially if you switched the provider because you were dissatisfied with the previous one. The last thing you need is to employ a different doctor only to switch to another one after a few months.

3.   Transfer Your Medical Records

Make sure to get an electronic or paper copy of your medical records. Ideally, you should send the records directly to your new physician. The documents should include all your results and diagnostic works. You can retrieve and transfer records rather quickly just by signing a few dotted lines.

The length of your records will vary depending on your medical history. Some people, especially those who suffer from several chronic conditions, have enough paperwork to fill a library. Other people will have medical records that barely include several lines of personal information.

These records give your new doctor a headstart in treating your chronic conditions. Plus, by going through your documents, a physician can learn more about your past surgeries, drug allergies, and blood group. Family history is also valuable as it shows your new doctor's tendencies toward certain medical conditions. 

There are also situations when you’re unable to retrieve medical records. Luckily, you can circumvent this issue if you have a good recollection of your past ailments, therapies, and allergies. For example, telling your new doctor that you have high cholesterol is good enough as it will help the physician focus on a particular issue.

4.   Make Your First Visit

Take your first visit to go through your medical history, break down all the drugs you’re using right now, and share information about potentially hereditary issues. Most importantly, talk about organs that aren’t functioning properly as well as chronic conditions.

It's crucial that you're as transparent as possible during the first visit, as it will provide the doctor with a better understanding of your current situation and potential problems.

You also shouldn't hesitate to interview your new doctor. Ask them how they would handle your medical conditions, and then determine how their approach differs from your previous provider. Take this chance to talk about their professional experience and whether they have worked on similar cases.

5.   Assess Your First Visit

After the first visit, you should have the enough information to determine whether or not this is the right provider for you. Ask yourself different questions to assess their performance and fit. For example:

• Has the provider given me proper answers to my questions?
• Did I feel comfortable?
• Do I think this physician is the right choice, given my medical history?
• Is there some red flag I haven’t initially noticed?
• Was this appointment similar to my appointments with the older provider?

Take your time to objectively answer all this information. Most importantly, if you notice something strange, ask the doctor during the next visit or start looking for a new medical professional.

Conclusion

If you're not sure what the entire process of switching doctors looks like, we recommend you hire a healthcare advocate. These medical experts perform various administrative tasks for their clients and can help you find the best providers in your area.

On top of that, healthcare advocates can answer all your questions regarding insurance and finances. They have a comprehensive understanding of the healthcare system and can enhance your medical outcomes.