Change is hard. When you bond with a doctor, whether it’s over a few months or many years, the last thing you want to hear is that your physician is retiring. When this happens to you, you may feel lost. You’ve entrusted your doctor with a lot of personal information. It can feel like losing a friend or even a family member. Here’s what you should do when your doctor retires:
Ask Around for Referrals
Now that you’ve found yourself looking for a new doctor, you may be wondering where to find one. The best way to start is by asking for referrals. Ask your doctor if they have any colleagues they would recommend. Ask friends and family members if there’s a doctor they would suggest. Look for online reviews on doctor review websites or your insurance company’s patient portal.
Look Within the Same Group
If your doctor is part of a practice or medical group, you may be best served starting over with a doctor in the same group. This will involve less moving around of medical records, less paperwork and a higher likelihood that the new doctor will take your insurance. You may even consider going with the person replacing your doctor within the group. If you’re hoping for someone with the same amount of experience as your current doctor, see if there’s someone your doctor would recommend within the practice.
Scope Out Doctors Before You Choose
When committing to a long-term relationship with a doctor, you’ll want to make sure you’ve made the right decision, not just the easiest one. Find out if you’re able to meet your top two or three doctors before you make the final choice. Some doctors are willing to meet via video conference. You can also take a tour of the office before committing to a provider. Meeting the doctor before you make your choice can give you peace of mind that it will be a good fit.
Obtain Your Medical Records
Before you start seeing a new doctor, especially if the doctor is part of a different practice, you need to secure your medical records. Start by asking how your new doctor wants to receive the medical records. Then, find out how you can obtain them. You may be able to download them directly from your online patient portal, or you may need to request them over the phone or in person. If you’re not sure, call your current doctor’s office. This process can take some time, so start as soon as you select a new doctor. If the new doctor is a specialist, you may also need to secure a referral from your current primary doctor to start working with them.
Prepare for Your First Appointment
No matter how thorough your current doctor is, there will be items that you should discuss with your new doctor. Before your first appointment, consider any details that should be discussed, as well as any questions you have. Remember that, even though you’ll be seeing someone new to you, that you’ve done your research and found a doctor who has your best interests in mind.
Eventually, most doctors will retire, and their patients will need to begin the search for new providers. Here at Infections Managed, one of our long-time doctors, Dr. Reyes, recently retired. He was a pillar of the community and beloved by his patients. We’ve helped several patients find new doctors, and we’re happy to help anyone looking for a new infectious disease specialist in South Florida. If you’re looking for a new doctor, give us a call at (954) 776-9992.