How to Find a Doctor

Everyone should have a primary care doctor to oversee his or her medical care. Pediatricians or Family Practice Physicians manage children and Internal Medicine physicians or Family Practice Physicians manage adults. Some women receive their primary care from their Gynecologist.

What services does a Primary Care Doctor provide?

Primary Care Doctors maintain an ongoing working relationship with you. They keep your medical records, performing checkups, and screening exams for early detection of medical problems. They encourage healthy lifestyles to help prevent illness, provide medical advice, treat most of your medical problems, and coordinate all of your medical care.

How can I find a Primary Care Doctor?

Washington Medical makes it easy to find a Primary Care Doctor in your area. Select medical services from the index, then select "search for a physician" from the menu of medical services.

How can I decide which Primary Care Doctor is right for me?

Many physicians have created web pages and web sites to provide additional information about their training, background, and their views about healthcare and the services that they provide. You will need to find out if the practice is open and taking new patients and if your insurance plan will cover you for visits to this doctor. Its always a good idea to set up an appointment to visit with the doctor, to make sure that you feel comfortable with his/her approach to your medical care. You need to be able to communicate comfortably with your doctor and have confidence in his/her advice. It’s also a good idea to seek recommendations from family and friends.

What services does a Specialist provide?

Sometimes people have medical problems that are unusual or difficult to manage and doctors with special training and expertise are needed to evaluate and help manage these situations.

When do I need a Specialist?

Usually your Primary Care Doctor refers you to a Specialist, when you have a difficult or unusual medical problem that requires the special training and expertise of the specialist. Some patients seek out a specialist to obtain a second opinion about their medical problems, current management, and treatment options.

How can I find a Specialist?

Washington Medical makes it easy to find specialists in your area. Select medical services from the index, then select "search for a physician" from the menu of medical services.

How can I decide which Specialist is right for me?

Many Specialists have created web pages and web sites to provide additional information about their training, background, and their views about healthcare and the services that they provide. You will need to find out if your insurance plan will cover you for visits to this doctor. It’s always a good idea to ask your Primary Care Doctor, friends and family members for recommendations.

What if I can't afford a doctor?

Low-income patients in the state of Washington may qualify for a subsidized medical insurance, the Basic Health Plan. Call 800-826-2444 for information or an application. You may also qualify for medical care under the Medicaid program and should seek an application from the Department of Social and Health Services listed under state government in the Yellow Pages. Look for social services in your local phone directory in the government service section. Some communities have set up health facilities, supported by local charities and their county medical society to help provide medical services for low-income patients. If you have a serious medical problem that requires emergency medical care at a hospital, you will not be denied care because of inability to pay for the services. However, the goal is to find a primary care doctor, for all patients, even those with limited income, so that your routine medical care is at your doctor’s office, not the municipal emergency room.

What if I have other questions?

If you have other questions then just click here helpdesk@wamedical.com and drop us a note.