Selecting a primary care physician is a crucial first step towards properly managing your healthcare. Your primary care physician is your medical home base and the doctor you visit for most of your medical and healthcare needs, including wellness visits and routine screenings, non-emergency illnesses like sore throats and earaches and the person you talk to about all of your healthcare concerns and questions. Here are our tips for choosing a new primary care physician in Asheville, NC:
• Determine which doctors are in-network. Most healthcare plans have special discount rates with doctors and hospitals in your area and you will pay less out of pocket for visiting those doctors. Make sure that you choose an in-network doctor to avoid any hefty medical or healthcare charges.
• Find a doctor with expertise that meets your health needs. We recommend choosing a doctor that will fit your healthcare needs. There are different types of primary care physicians, including general practice, family practice and internal medicine. Family practice physicians treat patients of all ages and a wide variety of conditions, including sports injuries and women’s health needs. Internal medicine physicians treat adults and specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and management of chronic conditions and diseases. General practice physicians treat patients of any gender or age and include osteopaths, who practice a type of alternative medicine with a special focus on the musculoskeletal system.
• Ask for referrals. Ask for referrals from your friends, family members and co-workers. You can also ask other healthcare professionals, including your pharmacist and your dentist, for recommendations. If you are moving, ask your current doctor if they have a recommendation at your new location.
If you are looking for a primary care physician in Asheville, NC, then look no further than Integrative Family Medicine of Asheville!
