Finding the best Huntsville doctor to meet your healthcare needs can be challenging. Here at Innova Primary Care, we have the privilege of serving so many of you in Huntsville and surrounding areas. Our commitment to patient-centered care and revolutionizing the current healthcare system from within means that we do things differently. We put you, the patient, at the heart of what we do. Our desire is to establish a collaborative environment allowing our patients to feel heard and cared for. Imagine that, a doctor’s office that actually cares about their patients, and approaches healthcare as a team effort.

If you are like most of the population, you know what it feels like to search for a physician that you trust and has your well-being in mind. How unfortunate that so many people do not feel like their health is a priority for the very professionals they have entrusted to care for them. Is this your current situation? Do you feel like your provider has more important things to do than give you the time you require to feel about next steps? Do you have easy access to your general practitioner? Is it easy to schedule appointments and discuss outcomes? Innova Primary Care certainly hopes you answered yes to these questions, if not, it may be time to consider searching for a place like Innova.

But how? How do you find a practice that is best suited to your needs?

Listen, we know this is no easy task. While we hope that you will consider Innova Primary Care for your needs, we also know that our office may not be the best fit for you personally. And this is okay. Every patient has specific needs and preferences. What is a perfect fit for one person may be a perfect storm for another. We know you have choices, and this is why we want to help you conduct your search for a provider equipped for success whether you choose us or not. Your health should be the focus.

Ask people you trust

This one seems rather obvious, but it needs to be said anyway. The best source of information comes from people in your life whose opinions you value. Reach out to family, friends, co-works, etc. and ask for their advice on how to find a primary care physician. Use them as a sounding board regarding your current situation. Here are some pointed questions you can ask:

1. Do you connect with your physician?
2. What is communication like?
3. What are the communication expectations?
4. How does the office stay in touch with you?
5. Do you feel like you can ask questions?
6. Do appointments feel rushed?
7. Are they conscientious about time?

You may have questions regarding your personal situation as well. Whatever the case, it’s okay to ask. The more information you have the better equipped you will be to make the best choice for your needs.

One thing we should note is that while online reviews can be helpful, they do not tell the whole story. Online review sites rank doctors based solely on patients comments. Many sites rank doctors with paid accounts higher than those who are not signed up with the service. Read with caution. While you can use online reviews as a part of your search, we recommend you do not rely totally on them for your decision.

Check with your insurance company

In-network healthcare providers have partnered with your insurance company to provide services. The cost of seeing a physician or specialist in-network vs. out-of-network can be staggering. In incredibly simplistic terms, doctors join a network and in doing so, agree to accept a certain amount for services rendered. This will affect how much you, the consumer, pay when you go to the doctor.

Before you partner with a new doctor, check with your insurance company and see if the practice is aligned with them.

Consider location

Where you live can affect where you receive care. If you would rather not spend an hour in the car driving to see your primary care physician, you need to take location into consideration. On the other hand, if you don’t mind a drive you can keep offices located further away at the top of the list.

Language

For those who speak a language other than English, it will be vital that the practice they partner with can communicate effectively with them. when you begin your search, look for medical practices that can speak your preferred language.

Visit the office yourself

Nothing can replace your personal experience. All the research in the world will not ultimately tell you if the doctor you like on paper jives with you in real life. If you find that all your boxes have been checked off, congratulations on finding your new physician! If, however, you are not sold during your visit, you can continue to look for a provider better suited to your needs.

 

We hope this helps you understand a little better how to find a primary care physician in Huntsville. It can be challenging, but it is worth the extra effort to find the right one!