Parenthood is filled with decisions. Will you nurse or bottle feed? Do you follow baby’s schedule for bedtime, or is it time to start sleep training? When do you start introducing things like screen time, allowance and chores? What should you make for them to complain about for dinner? When it’s time to find a new pediatrician, it can be tempting to just pick the first name in your online search results just to have one less decision to make. But choosing the right primary care doctor for your family, your budget and your life is worth a bit of research – and may be easier than you think.
Check Your Network
The first thing to check is which doctors are in your network. Staying with in-network doctors and facilities – ones that partner with your health plan to provide high quality care for a lower price – saves you money. Providers without a partnership with your plan are considered “out-of-network” and can cost more to see, so make sure you get in-network care to avoid overpaying for services.
It’s also important to find an in-network doctor to act as a primary care provider, since a PCP is just that: your primary source of care. As they’re the first point of contact for health issues and help coordinate referrals and treatment, it’s important to be able to reach out to them without worrying about out-of-network costs.
Priority Health makes finding an in-network doctor simple with the Find a Doctor tool – just go in your member account search by area, or the doctor or facility name to find a provider within your network.
Decide What Matters to You
Once you’ve narrowed down your list to in-network providers, consider your family’s needs and what’s important to you. Some families value the office’s proximity to their home or their kids’ school most, others might prioritize later office hours or weekend availability. Consider which providers offer virtual care and on-site services (like labs – if testing is needed, do you have to drive to another location or can it be done in the office?) as a factor if transportation or time is an issue. (If there are any parents who don’t think time is an issue, I’d like to meet them).
Another thing to evaluate when looking for a doctor is… well, the doctor. Do they have a board certification in pediatrics? Do they usually work with children, and how do they interact with them? How familiar are they with any chronic conditions your children may have? It’s also helpful to get feedback about the support staff or other doctors in the practice who may collaborate in your child’s care. Check reviews of the practice and the doctor for specifics, or talk to other parents you may know for their opinion or recommendations.
Get To Know The Practice
Once you’ve found a provider you’re interested in transferring care to, you can call the office as a last step to verify what you’ve found and ask any questions you may have. Ask what a typical appointment looks like and what to expect on your first visit. How long can you expect to be there, and will your child need any immunizations or testing at the office? Ask about their approach to preventive care, vaccines and any diagnoses your children may have. (For instance, if your child has ADHD, do they start with medication or behavioral therapy? If they have concerns do they treat in office or refer to specialists?) Talking to the staff can be a good way to get an idea of their “soft skills” and ensure they’ll be patient with your child. This is also a good time to confirm the office is in-network for your specific health plan, and get an idea of any costs or copays you can expect – though it’s always a good idea to double check with your coverage provider as well.
Choose Your PCP
If all goes well, schedule the first exam and make it official – choose the doctor as your child’s PCP. Some plans require formally assigning a pediatrician as a PCP, so call your coverage provider to inform them, or select the doctor as the primary care provider online. Call your previous pediatrician to have records transferred if possible, and bring any relevant medical information to the first exam.
The last step? Treat yourself. You’ve done one of the best things you can for your child’s health, finding a doctor that will see them regularly and protect them against preventable illness. That’s worth celebrating. Keeping up with their well-child visits helps maintain their immunity to serious diseases by staying on the recommended vaccination schedule, and helps doctors spot signs of serious issues when they’re small and more easily treated. Plus, you’ve done your research and saved money staying in-network. So go get yourself something fancy (but hide it from the kids, they’ve practically got radar detection for treats, and you earned this one).
Need coverage?
If you’ve had a life change (like a new job, a loss of coverage or a new family member) you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that lets you enroll outside of the Open Enrollment Period. Talk to one of our health plan experts today at 833.724.0635, or get a free quote online.
Our members are at the heart of everything we do. With 40 years in business, Priority Health is the second-largest health plan in Michigan and the third-largest provider-sponsored health plan in the nation, offering an extensive portfolio of health benefits options for employer groups and individuals, including Medicare and Medicaid plans. Serving 1.4 million members in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin, Priority Health offers a broad network of primary care physicians and continues to be recognized as a leader for quality, customer service, transparency and product innovation. Learn more about affordable, quality health coverage options from Priority Health. Visit the Priority Health newsroom for the latest news.
