Selecting a Provider
Step 1: Assess Your Needs
Step 1: What is your health status?
Do you want a provider that specializes with specific client groups?
Would you prefer a provider of a specific gender, age, race or religion?
Do you need a provider that speaks a specific language?
Do you want a provider that will serve all family members?
Do you want a provider located near work or home?
Step 2: Review your Health Plan
Does your plan limit your selection of providers?
Does your plan limit your selection of Medical Groups?
Step 3: Conduct an informational interview with the provider or practice manager
Is the practice accepting new patients?
Do they take your insurance?
What hours are available for appointments?
What are the standards for wait time and visit length?
How long has the provider been in practice?
Is the physician board certified?
Is the office/affiliated hospital conveniently located?
Step 4: Review your resources
Contact your Plan
Contact your Provider Group
- Health Scope
Provides information to help you select high quality health plans, medical groups and hospitals. Includes statistics gathered by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
http://www.healthscope.org .
- Choosing Quality Care - Overview
Provides general information, in a number of formats, to improve your understanding of the healthcare system and empower you to make informed choices.
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qualcare.html
- Guide to Choosing Quality Health Care
Provides an explanation on how quality is measured and how to make decisions based on quality; information on quality and accreditation reports and how to contact the supporting organizations; definition and contact information for various organizations focused on guiding consumers in choosing quality healthcare; and a workbook to help guide you through the process of choosing a health plan, physician or hospital.
http://www.ahrq.gov/consumer/qnt/
- UCSF Medical Center Referral Service
Following the steps above should put you on the road to becoming your own best health advocate however this is only a guide and there may be additional information or different questions that best suit your personal needs. Assists clients and doctors with access to UCSF physicians, the hospital and the Medical Center. Provides referrals to UCSF doctors based on specialty, provides background information about the doctors, provides physician contact information, and provides lodging information.
1-888-689-8273.