Are you looking to switch to a new primary care doctor? If so, be aware that it will require quite a bit of work and research. These helpful tips can make the upcoming transition go smoothly.

Medal Record Requests

Depending on how long you've been visiting your old doctor, they could have medical records for you that go back many years. There will be detailed information about visits, any existing conditions that you have, the medication that you take, and previous X-rays to document injuries you have sustained. It is important to have these records sent to the new doctor's office so they are easy to access.

Ask your new primary care doctor what records they will need from you. Sending over many long charts will not be necessary if they're old and will never be read again. For instance, your new doctor may just want previous X-rays and not the write-up that your old doctor did. They would rather come to their own conclusions when making a diagnosis rather than using the previous doctor's diagnosis. The new doctor may only request the past few years of your medical records since they will be relevant to current problems.

If your old doctor doesn't seem like they want to give up medical records, know that they are legally obligated to give you a copy. The doctor's office will actually have up to a month to give you the records after you make a formal written request. Make sure you get your request in well in advance of visiting your new doctor for the first time. It helps to bring the records with you to ensure that all the records are sent over.

Partner Facility Research

Every office has a different way of working when it comes to labs outside their facility. Some offices perform the lab work on site while others outsource the work to nearby labs or local hospitals with the proper resources.

Do your research to find out what labs your new doctor works with. You want to make sure that the labs are within your health insurance network so that they are covered. Many patients don't think about what happens with blood once it is taken, but not knowing who will work on your lab work could result in paying for it out of pocket.

Contact a doctor like Harvey Harold E II MD PLLC if you have questions about primary care options.