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Health > Choosing a Physician
When you choose your personal physician, you are choosing someone who will work with you to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle and get the care you need. Below are some suggested steps to help you find a personal physician.
First: Think about What You Want
Start by thinking about your health care needs and the kind of health care practitioner who would best suit those needs. Board-certified family practitioners, internists or pediatricians are often good choices to consider. Board-certified physicians complete training in a particular specialty area and pass a certifying examination given by the medical specialty board. Board-certified family practitioners, internists and pediatricians should be familiar with most common medical problems.
You can verify a physician's certification by visiting the American Board of Medical Specialties website at www.abms.org.
Personal preferences can also play a role in your choice; for instance, you may be more comfortable with a physician who speaks Spanish or is female. Our printed Directory of Health Care Professionals and the Find a Doctor function on our Web site can help you locate physicians who meet your qualifications near where you live or work. Trusted friends and family members can also be good sources for suggestions and information.*
Second: Call the Physician's Office
Once you have identified a potential candidate, you may want to call the physician's office for more information. Questions to consider asking include:
1. Is your office accepting new patients?
2. What are your normal office hours?
3. Is the office easily accessible (close to public transportation, wheelchair accessible, etc.)?
Third: If you are an HMO member, select your Primary Care Physician
When you have identified the physician you would like to be your personal physician - your Primary Care Physician - you will need to let us know if you are an M.D. IPA or Optimum Choice, Inc. member. You can let us know by submitting the "PCP Selection Form" included in your enrollment packet, notifying us of your choice through our Web site, www.mamsi.com, or calling our Member Services Department at the phone number listed on your health plan identification card.
* If you are choosing a primary care physician (PCP), you also need to be sure that the physician meets your health plan's qualifications for PCPs. Consult your Evidence of Coverage (EOC) for additional information.
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