A recent article, Click here for the best health care, offers some very practical advice on how consumers can make smarter decisions when selecting doctors and hospitals - and how to plan ahead for medical expenses.
Selecting the right doctor
Consumers can find out about a doctor's experience and a hospital's success rates, and even find information on what these services cost. First, get to know your doctor. Do some research to find out what other patients have to say about the doctor. Personal recommendations carry a lot of weight and people trust what other consumers have to say. Check if your doctor is board certified. Search the American Board of Medical Specialties to find out. Make sure your doctor has done this procedure before. Use Vitals.com to find out how many times a doctor has performed certain procedures in a year, and look up historical data to determine if there are any sanctions or malpractice claims. If you cannot find this information on public sources, call the doctor’s office and ask. You want a doctor that has lots of experience. Know the price before you visit the provider. If you have out-of-pocket expenses, it’s well worth your time to call your doctor and your insurer to determine the amount you are responsible for.
Selecting the right hospital
Hospitals provide a lot more performance data. Just like doctors, hospitals get better with experience. You can use Vimo.com to find out how many times a hospital has performed a procedure. RevolutionHealth.com also provides similar information. HealthGrades is an excellent source of quality ratings for hospitals. You can purchase a report from HealthGrades to obtain cost and quality information.