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So, I need to find a new primary care doctor (my current one is mostly retired, only works 6 months a year, and I didn't like her that much to begin with). How the heck do I find someone actually good? Last time since Ben's dad is a doctor we asked him for recommendations, but since he works for a drug company the only people he could recommend were people he went to school with, and they're all retiring. I need someone younger than 65!
Also, what is the difference between "general practice," "family practice," and "internal medicine?" Which should I be looking for? Do I need to get a separate gynecologist depending on which kind I get, or can I continue to have routine PAP tests with any of those three?
How do you find someone anyway? Print out my insurance's list of covered doctors and throw a dart at it? Ideally I would want to have someone who is competent, has reasonable hours, will keep my vaccinations up to date, and will take my wrist and knee problems seriously. And someone who doesn't seem like they're in a hurry all the time. And they have to be a Blue Cross/Blue Sheild preferred provider or my insurance won't pay for them.
Man, I miss Kaiser in Woodland Hills. Health care is such a pain in the ass, at least with Kaiser it was simple. Kaiser in Fontana was pretty crappy though. Oh well. I'm still annoyed that you had to make an appointment to go to urgent care there. Isn't the whole point of urgent care that it's URGENT and can't wait for an appointment?
Also, what is the difference between "general practice," "family practice," and "internal medicine?" Which should I be looking for? Do I need to get a separate gynecologist depending on which kind I get, or can I continue to have routine PAP tests with any of those three?
How do you find someone anyway? Print out my insurance's list of covered doctors and throw a dart at it? Ideally I would want to have someone who is competent, has reasonable hours, will keep my vaccinations up to date, and will take my wrist and knee problems seriously. And someone who doesn't seem like they're in a hurry all the time. And they have to be a Blue Cross/Blue Sheild preferred provider or my insurance won't pay for them.
Man, I miss Kaiser in Woodland Hills. Health care is such a pain in the ass, at least with Kaiser it was simple. Kaiser in Fontana was pretty crappy though. Oh well. I'm still annoyed that you had to make an appointment to go to urgent care there. Isn't the whole point of urgent care that it's URGENT and can't wait for an appointment?
