Whether you need a primary care physician (PCP) for yourself or a loved one, choose one who you’re comfortable with.  A trusting relationship between you and your doctor is key to ensuring open communication, which will lead to better care in the long run. These tips can help you choose a PCP that’s a good fit. 

If you have multiple conditions, an age-related disease, or are on several medications, you may want to have a geriatrician. These PCPs specialize in treating older people. They’re good at helping with complex cases. They tend to give you more time to talk during visits and can coordinate care with specialists.

Make a list of the things you want in a PCP. Maybe you want your PCP to work with a certain hospital, you need an elevator in the building, or you want a doctor focused on wellness and not just illness. Based on your needs, come up with questions to ask the staff or the doctor. 

Check to see which doctors take your health insurance plan. If you use Original Medicare (Part A and B), use the Care Compare tool at Medicare.gov to find doctors who take it. (Medicare Part C/Medicare Advantage has certain doctors in a network). If you use Medicaid, your state Medicaid agency can help you find an in-network doctor. 

You may be able to find a great PCP by asking friends or your existing health care providers who they like -- and why. Ask specific questions that will address your needs, such as “What do you like and not like most about this doctor?” 

Ask how the PCP operates outside of office visits. A few questions you may have include: How fast do they respond after hours? How can you stay in the loop when they talk with specialists?  Do you have a choice in how they communicate with you? Do they require telehealth visits? Do they handle lab work in the office?

If you need an interpreter, ask if the PCP offers and pays for it. Doctors who get federal funding for most Medicare programs and Medicaid/Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) must offer it for free -- but the doctor doesn’t always get paid back. Fact: Some doctors use a computer system or device, so you may not get an actual person to assist.

When you’ve narrowed down your list of possible PCPs, call and ask your questions. How the office staff responds can give you a good idea if the doctor is right for you. Prefer to ask the doctor directly? You can set up a consultation to meet the doctor prior to a first exam, too. Make sure to ask if they’ll charge a fee for the visit.

What if the top choice on your list doesn’t meet your expectations? Or if the PCP you worked so hard to find winds up leaving their practice soon after you join? Go back to your search and don’t stop until you find a doctor that you like.