Does anyone know, offhand, any reliable place to find doctors on the web. I’m about to leave this godforsaken hellhole I’ve called a job, and thus lose my health insurance, and I’d like to get some check-ups/med refills, etc.
I’m looking for Dentists and psychiatrists as well.
BTW I’m in the Brooklyn area, so if anyone has any direct recommendations on doctors they’ve seen, that would be appreciated.
You’re trying to do this on your current health insurance, right?
If you’re in an HMO or PPO, they company should have a list of area doctors who are “in network.” You could then ask any of your fellow employees whom you trust.
Alas, if only there were a Consumer Reports rating for Doctors.
I got that huge book of in network doctors so long ago, I can’t remember what the heck I did with it. It’s probably at my parents house which I wont be able to get till the weekend. Damn!
Problem with asking my fellow employees is that (1) we are actually all working through temporary agencies, and different ones at that, and (2) they all live quite a distance from me (middle NJ, no I don’t know why they brave a 2 hour commute every day).
There should be some sort of unofficial web page where people can give feedback (either good or bad) on their experiences with particular doctors. If there’s not already, here’s a hint for any of you out there into web page constuction who may be looking for a great idea.
The company should be able to provide you with another book.
Also, depending on your situation, your medical coverage does not necessarily end at the same date as your employment. There is usually a grace period, called COBRA after the legislation, where you can continue converage at your own expense (you may have to pay the premium, but it’s usually pretty small compared to the benefit.)
Thanks CK. I’m gonna check into that grace period.
I know how you feel. I have gone thru 6 doctors since the beginning of the year. I can’t understand any of them. They are all from other countries. I have Humana HMO. I chose it as my doctor was on it then she moved.
I wish there was some way of finding out about your doctor before making an appointment. I tried using things like 1-800 DOCTORS and calling hospitals but they don’t give out a doctor’s name until you agree to see them.
That 1-800 DOCTORS number keeps giving me the same doctor that I tell them I don’t want.
Well I guess that’s what you get when your cheap and don’t go with the PPO
This is an interesting problem and one that probably does not have a solution. Finding a good doctor is at least as hard as finding a good lawyer or car mechanic and even harder than finding a good hairdresser. The problems are that (1) medicine is almost as much art as science making it hard to objectively assess quality (how would you choose a “good” artist?) and (2) the kind of doctor who will suit you best depends on your personality, your background, and your medical problem.
I know a lot of doctors and I have referred a lot of patients (including members of my own family) to a lot of different doctors over the years. The experience has been exasperating. Even the good ones often disappoint the people I refer them to leaving me to make excuses.
One thing I am pretty sure of it this: the fact that a doctor is popular with her patients is no guarantee that she knows what she is doing.
Good luck.