74% of Americans have a positive view of their healthcare provider. These are likely the people who’ve put time and thought into picking a healthcare provider that works well for them and their families, resulting in good care and comfort in going to the doctor.
Whether you’ve recently moved and need healthcare services in the area or have decided to change who provides your family’s healthcare, you need to make the right choice. That’s not as hard as it sounds as long as you do your research and consider everything you should.
Here’s what to think about when looking for a family healthcare provider.
1. Decide Which Kind of Provider You Need
There are many different types of healthcare for families, and you need to consider what will suit your needs.
For example, if you don’t have private healthcare, you may need to look for an FQHC. These are federally funded healthcare clinics that qualify for specific reimbursement programs under government-provided healthcare, and they’re most needed by those who lack the funds to pay for private insurance.
CHCs go further, providing medical care to those who are in poverty — but they still aren’t free. Read more about the CHC and FQHC difference if those interest you.
If you’re fortunate enough to have private health insurance or can pay for expensive healthcare services, you may be able to look at other clinic types. Determining this ahead of time is key to narrowing down your search.
2. Read Reviews
To find the best family healthcare, you also need to make sure you read the reviews of any clinic you choose to go to. Reviews are often freely available on sites like Google, Yelp, and Facebook, or the clinic may have client testimonials available on their website to browse.
The main thing is ensuring they have a good overall rating and plenty of reviews, suggesting they have a trail of satisfied clients. You can also dive into the good and bad reviews to see what they did wrong and what they did well.
You could also ask for personal reviews if you have friends or family in the area. Ask what family doctor they have and how they like the clinic — they may have a recommendation for you or even a clinic they think you should avoid!
Never make a decision based on one person’s words alone, but it can give you a great starting point.
3. Consider the Professionals
You should also consider the professionals in the clinic. There are a few things to think about, including:
- Do they have the qualifications necessary to provide healthcare for families?
- Do they have years of experience behind them?
- Do you have any specific needs, and are they receptive to them?
- Do they make you feel comfortable?
Doctors make a lot of people uncomfortable, but if the person in front of you is worsening your anxiety, it may be a sign they’re not the right one for you. You should be able to open up to your doctor and be honest with them to get all of the benefits of family healthcare. If you’re not honest, your appointments might be a waste of time.
4. Check Out the Physical Location
Next, you should check out the physical location and make sure it’s convenient for you. If you drive, make sure the commute is short or, if you use public transport or walk, ensure there’s a good route to get there.
You could find the best clinic in the world, but if you can’t get there when you need to, it’s not worth entertaining.
5. Discuss Pre-Existing Conditions
Next, you should make sure the doctor there is aware of your pre-existing conditions and comfortable handling them. If you have a preferred treatment or medication that’s been working for you, you should ensure access to it at this clinic.
This goes for all the family.
6. Consider the Cost
If you think you’ve found the right clinic for you, it’s time to consider the cost of visits and make sure you understand them. You should also check the cost of any medication that you know you’ll have to get if there are any preexisting conditions.
Some clinics work specifically with low-income families. You can also discuss financing options if this would be helpful to you.
If you’re on Medicaid, make sure the clinic accepts this, as some will only take private insurance. Some will even only take out-of-pocket funds.
7. Discuss With the Family
Before committing to your new family doctor, discuss it with the rest of the family! Show them everything you’ve found and check they’re comfortable with this new choice. It can even help to involve children in the decision to make them feel valued (and help them feel more comfortable going to the doctor, as they’ve had a say in it beforehand).
If you’re all on the same page about the location, professionals, and cost, you can proceed with making this your new family healthcare clinic.
This Is How to Choose a Family Healthcare Provider
You and your family’s healthcare is important. That’s why you should make sure you do your research when choosing a family healthcare provider.
Read reviews, ask for recommendations, check out the location, consider the professionals, and make sure the cost is within your budget. If you do all these things, you should have no trouble landing the best professional for you.
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