The Choice Is Yours

Many of us are faced with selecting a physician because of our annual health plan enrollment process, relocation to the area or changes in insurance.

We know it isn't easy. Our hope is that together we can provide you with the information you need to find a physician. After all, when it comes to your health, you want to make the right choice.

How to choose a primary care physician
What you should know about us

How to choose a primary care physician
First, let us explain what a primary care physician is. It is either a family physician, internal medicine physician or a pediatrician. These physicians are qualified to care for most of your healthcare needs. If a specialist is needed, the primary care physician will refer you to the most appropriate specialist. The idea is to have a primary care physician "managing" your health, so you are receiving the most appropriate care in the most appropriate setting. Bottom line is...it allows one physician to work closely with you to keep you healthy and reduce your chances of illness, while keeping your cost down.

To find the primary care physician who is right for you and your family, we recommend the following seven ways:

1. If your health plan is provided through your employer, ask your benefits coordinator for a directory of the physicians that are preferred providers in your plan. These directories will list the physicians' names and office addresses.

We know you can't choose a physician from a name alone, so we provide you with physician profiles that include a photo of the physician, professional education, services provided and office location.

2. Call the physician's office to confirm if they accept your health plan. Here are some questions you can ask to determine if the physician you are about to select is right for you.

• How many physicians are in the practice?
• What are your waiting times for routine care? 
• Which hospitals are you affiliated with? 
• How do I reach you after hours? 
• How many specialists do you have in your network? 
• What types of preventive services do you provide? 
• What are your office hours?
  

3. Seek outside information.  There are many public information sources consumers can use to find out about physicians. Check the library for "The American Medical Directory" or "The Directory of Medical Specialists." Call the Public Citizen's Health Research Group and ask about their publication "13,012 Questionable Doctors." Or, find out which local consumer advocacy groups are rating physicians' credentials.

4. Find out if the physician is board-certified. This means he or she has practiced two to six years post residency and has passed a difficult medical education test.

6. Ask your health plan provider. Their internal quality measures can often give you information available from patient satisfaction surveys.

7. Ask your friends, co-workers and family for their recommendation.

What you should know about us

Convenience and good stewardship of facilities and services are what the campus concept is all about. Here physicians, hospital, other medical professionals, and the community are partnered to meet health care needs of the Montgomery County area today and into the future.

This campus is a tribute to the people of the area who continue to hold a vision of integrated health care delivery to the community. It is that vision and a commitment to quality and customer service that attract a wide variety of dedicated physicians and health professionals to our community.

It's most important to know that we care first and foremost about you. Our ultimate goal is to improve the health of every person in the community. We are your neighbors and friends who have been serving the community for more than 80 years.

Here is a partial listing of services available to you at MCMH, through our local physicians. Even more services are provided to you through our outpatient clinics.

• Physicals and preventive health screens
• Laboratory and diagnostic services
• Maternity services
• Emergency services
• Radiology services
• Respiratory and Sleep services
• Home Health and Hospice services
• Many consuting services via our outpatient clinics
• Rehabilitation services