When you need to leave your pediatrician, taking care of your health can seem like a daunting task. How do you find a doctor that takes your insurance? How do you know which one is right for you? These three tips will help you make the right choice for your primary care physician (PCP).

1. Ask Your Family

The first resource you should use to find a doctor is your family. Your mother or father, or even your older sibling will have a PCP, and you can ask them all about their experiences. They can talk to you about how their needs are or are not met, and if they are on the search for a new doctor, as well. If you or your family members have autoimmune diseases or other medical conditions, your needs may differ from theirs. Keep that in mind when seeking advice.

2. Understand Your Insurance

If you have ruled out a medical professional that your family sees, the next step is finding healthcare services that take your insurance. This can still be through your parents if you are under 26, and it is important to consider, as nearly 8.3% of adults 18 and up fail to find medical care because of the cost, according to the CDC. You don’t want to find yourself at the doctor’s office with no insurance for your bill. You can ask your employer or HR representative about the healthcare plans they have in place.

3. Talk to Different Doctors

With your list of possible doctors you can begin to narrow your search. Think of this as an interview process. Reach out to their practices to set up a phone call or appointment. Speaking with a practitioner will ensure that you are comfortable sharing sensitive information in the future. You may need to seek the help of other doctors for health problems, and you need to feel comfortable asking this doctor for help.

Use these three steps to feel confident when finding your first (or new) primary care physician. Set time aside from your daily routine, and don’t settle for someone you are uncomfortable with. Prioritizing your healthcare services now will eliminate health issues far down the line. Reach out to Care Station Medical Group for more information about this topic!