The Medical Board does not provide a referral service for consumers who need to choose a doctor. However, the following information may help you choose a doctor.

If you have health insurance, the first place to check is with your insurer or your employer's benefits office. Many insurance plans now limit your choice to a list of doctors who agree to certain requirements. Many plans also require you to select a primary care physician (PCP) from their list. The PCP is then responsible for your care, and must make any necessary referrals to specialists or other health professionals. 

If you are not limited to a list of doctors, most physicians are listed in the telephone yellow pages, and in larger communities, they are listed by specialty.

For your main physician, you should consider a Family Practitioner, General Practitioner, or Internal Medicine Specialist (Internist); you also may want to choose an Obstetrician/Gynecologist if you are a woman, or a Pediatrician for your children. All of these doctors are considered primary care practitioners, in that they can provide overall management of your health care. If you are elderly, and have conditions associated with aging, you may want to seek a specialist in gerontology as your PCP. Regardless, be sure your insurance will cover the doctor's services before you incur any charges.

You may want to talk with friends or coworkers about physicians they like. If this is not feasible, most county medical societies will give you names of physicians in your area who are in the specialty you select. Look in the white pages under [name of your county] medical society.

Once you have some names, call the doctors and ask if they are accepting new patients. Be sure to ask if they will accept your insurance plan (insurance plan lists often are outdated, as physicians are added or deleted from the plan). 

Ideally, you should meet the physician and discuss your health concerns while you are well. This may be a good time to have an annual physical, but again make sure your insurance will cover it. Most plans will not cover an informal visit just to get acquainted. 

Before you make an appointment, call the Medical Board to verify that he or she has a current California license. Also, ask if there have been any disciplinary actions, or if any charges are pending. This service is available by calling (916) 263-2382. See Physician License Verification for more information. 

BEFORE YOU GO:
Before your initial visit to a new doctor, make a list of things you want to tell him or her about your previous health history. 

Many offices will ask you to fill out a form, and may want details about:

•any surgeries you have had, and when; 

•any current conditions you are being treated for; 

•prescription drugs you take (you may want to bring the bottles so you will have correct information about strength and dosages); 

•the name and address of your previous doctor(s)

•person to contact in an emergency; 

•your employer's address and phone number

•the company and policy number of your insurance. If you have an insurance I.D. card, be sure to bring it. 

•the doctor's specialty or special areas of practice;

•who covers his patients when he is not available;

•whether other physicians or non-physicians such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant will participate in your care, and whether this is optional; 

•what special training she may have in managing any medical conditions you have (such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, etc.); 

•whether he will provide care for others in your family; 

•what hospitals she can admit patients to; and if there are any restrictions on the doctor's hospital privileges.

It is important that your doctor is able to admit you to a hospital if you need inpatient care. If he or she does not have admitting privileges, make sure you understand how hospitalizations will be handled. 

•You should feel that you were treated courteously, that all your questions were answered, and that you did not feel rushed or dismissed. 

•Your relationship with a doctor is one of the most intimate in life; you should be able to trust him or her with the most private situations or problems, and should feel that your doctor is your ally.

•After the initial visit, if you are satisfied with what you experienced, GREAT. If not, remember the choice is yours. Try another doctor. It is your health that is at stake.