Choose a few physicians from the directory that meet your individual needs.
Try to narrow your choices down to three physicians by asking yourself the following questions:

• Do you have special needs? If you do, look for a Primary Care Physician who has expertise in those conditions.
• Do you want a doctor who speaks a language other than English?
• Do you prefer a male or female doctor?
• Is the doctor's office conveniently located?
• Do you have an age preference?

Research the providers you have chosen.
Your Primary Care Physician is responsible for preventive care, managing routine illness and minor injury, prescribing medication, and coordinating all the care you get from specialists, hospitals or caseworkers. You should do both formal and informal research so that you are familiar with your PCP's backround.

Talk to friends, previous health care providers or obtain other word-of-mouth references about the physician's personality, office and bedside manner. Also, review the physician's formal credentials, including:

• Educational background
• State board certification
• Malpractice actions
• Membership in professional groups such as the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Sources for this information include:

• Brown & Toland Customer Service Department to 800.225.5637 provides background profiles on participating physicians.

• The American Medical Directory and the Directory of Medical Specialists (carried by most libraries).

• Medical associations, such as the California Medical Association 415.541.0900, can refer you to groups that rate physicians or collect data on physician credentials.

• Medical board agencies, such as the California Medical Board 916.263.2635, can provide you with malpractice information.

Contact the physician's office to become acquainted.
Ask the following questions:

• What are your special areas of interest?
• What do I need to do to become an established patient?
• How long does it take before you can accommodate a new patient for an urgent appointment?
• How long does it take for a routine appointment?
• What are the procedures for emergencies?

Notify either your employer or your HMO of your Primary Care Physician choice.
Your employer or your HMO will need to know who your PCP is to set up the appropriate paperwork for processing any future bills.

Schedule a new patient visit and physical with your new physician.
We recommend you schedule a routine physical with your new PCP, even if you are healthy. Scheduling a visit will give you an opportunity to establish a relationship with your new physician, a feel for the physician?s office, staff and appointment procedures, and will provide background your next visit, when you may be ill or in an emergency situation. It will also help the physician to become familiar with your medical background.

You may also call 800.225.5637 to request a copy of the Brown & Toland 2007 Primary Care Physician Directory.