How can I find a good doctor online?

[WayAbvPar]

I need to acquire a new PCP (Primary Care Physician) that is closer to my home and office (my current doc is just far enough away to be inconvenient). As I understand it, my insurance should cover me for nearly any doctor; this is good, since their 'network' is pretty slim pickings. Have any of you found a good doctor online? What sites should I use? Is it worth pay $10 or so for a list of doctors in my area, or are there free alternatives?

[Furiously]

Have you asked others at work?

[Lt.Dan]

My insurance co (CIGNA) has a website with a doctor search - free too.  Of course it's still a total crap shoot since they basically only provide names, addresses and phone numbers.

Ask around and get a referral.  Hopefully you find a doctor that (a) accepts your insurance, and (b) is accepting new patients.

And count your lucky stars you're not looking for something personal like an ob/gyn.  My wife hated that.  Actually, hated isn't strong enough.

[WayAbvPar]

Have you asked others at work?

No one at work lives in Bellevue... they all have monster commutes for the most part. Of course, they also own homes while I rent, but that is another story. I loves me a < 10 minute commute.

[Bunk]

My family doctor retired about ten years ago. Since then - whatever walk-in clinic is closest to me (and has the lowest junkie/non-junkie ratio) - that's my doctor.

[Murgos]

What I did was get a list of names and then began looking them up in the state registry.  They have to be licensed you know?  In there it had where they recieved thier degree, what Hospitals they have worked at and what groups they are associated with and also any malpractice history.

I choose one who was head of his dept. (Head and Chest) at a nearby state U, practicing for about 15 years (young and alert) and a degree from Columbia. I had to look up A LOT of records to find him.  YMMV.

Many doctors have degrees from places you've barely heard of, like some Med School in Rwanda, so it's worth the extra effort.

[Dren]

My insurance co (CIGNA) has a website with a doctor search - free too.  Of course it's still a total crap shoot since they basically only provide names, addresses and phone numbers.

Ask around and get a referral.  Hopefully you find a doctor that (a) accepts your insurance, and (b) is accepting new patients.

And count your lucky stars you're not looking for something personal like an ob/gyn.  My wife hated that.  Actually, hated isn't strong enough.

I do not blame her (all women actually.)  I'd usually chime in on the whole "It's great being a guy" thing, but I'm rapidly approaching that age where I'll need to be violated in the nether regions on a regular basis too.  I will soon know their pain.

[Shockeye]

I pity anyone and everyone who has CIGNA as their insurance provider.

[shiznitz]

Picking a doctor online sounds nutty to me, unless you are 22 and don't really care. It takes some serious effort to find a good doctor, but if things go bad you will be glad you took that effort. I say this in retrospect because the last two guys I had I just picked out of a listing and they were neither responsive nor available when I had important (to me) questions.

[voodoolily]

The last general physician I went to was given to me by my insurane co. based on proximity to my house. He actually took a call from his cell phone while he was seeing me. I told him I wanted Zyban to quit smoking, and all he said was, "you sure you're not just depressed?" I said "no, I just want to quit smoking". He got out his pad and gave me a scrip. I don't know if he even looked at my chart before seeing me. It was very clinical, even for a doctor's visit. I wouldn't go back to him. Shiznitz gives good advice above.

I think if you just google "Bellevue Washington primary care physicians" you should get a decent list of databases from which you can look at doctors based on geography or other parameters.

[Murgos]

I guess I never posted the link:  http://ww2.doh.state.fl.us/mqaservices/

Obviously this is for florida but I would bet many states have something similar.

[Merusk]

I pity anyone and everyone who has CIGNA as their insurance provider.

Only because you haven't dealt with United Healthcare. I've had both now, and I prefer Cigna, though I really miss Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.

 

I do not blame her (all women actually.) I'd usually chime in on the whole "It's great being a guy" thing, but I'm rapidly approaching that age where I'll need to be violated in the nether regions on a regular basis too. I will soon know their pain.

Look for a doctor with small hands.  If you shake his hand and he's got a paw like a bear, start looking anew.

[Shockeye]

I pity anyone and everyone who has CIGNA as their insurance provider.

Only because you haven't dealt with United Healthcare. I've had both now, and I prefer Cigna, though I really miss Blue Cross/ Blue Shield.

I worked at CIGNA for 2 years. The place is evil.