My son is looking for a new PCP in Manhattan (mid-town, preferably). He has been coming home to Seattle to see his doctor for many years, and 2500 miles is just too far to fly to see your doctor! He really needs a local provider. His insurance company gives a list of hundreds of eligible providers (basically almost everyone), but it seems impossible to figure out who is someone that you’d really want to be seen by, based on that. Something as important as this should be selected by more than random chance, I think.
Would anyone have any recommendations on how to go about this, or be willing to PM me the name of someone they like?
He just quit his job, and as a software consultant, I don’t think he got to know anyone too well, unfortunately. I’m thinking it would be better to get recommendations from older adults, also, because when you’re in your early twenties and rarely go to the doctor, how do you even know who is good?
Sometimes, physicians have web pages where they describe their own medical and non-medical interests.
If he believes that his likelihood of specific medical conditions is higher, then he may want to choose a physician with interests in that area. For example, if he plays a lot of sports, he may find it useful to have a primary care physician with an interest in sports medicine, especially if the physician plays some of the same sports.
I had a very good PCP for years. She just decided not to have a private practice any more because it is too expensive. I asked her for a recommendation, she said it is very hard to find a private practice doctor now. She recommended for us to use Mount Sinai medical.
One other concern is whether the physician or group practice tends to be in-network for various available medical plans. The risk of finding that your physician or group practice is out-of-network next year because the plan’s list changed or because you had to change to a different plan may vary.
Just FYI - in NYC, many times even though there are 100s of docs listed as participating in plan X, when you actually go to chose one, not a single one is available or taking new patients. Some young people use their neighborhood Emergi-center as their PCP and many times that works as well as a regular PCP who may only see you once every few years. Most local insurances accepted at the bigger chains.
I don’t know Manhattan doctors but DS moved to Seattle a few months ago and will eventually need to establish a PCP within proximity to lower Queen Anne, Denny Triangle or thereabouts. So if your son’s prior doctor is anywhere more or less around there, I would greatly appreciate a PM! He really doesn’t know anyone well enough to ask for recommendations.
He did want to find a dentist so I did an extensive online search using various review sites then carefully analyzing the subtext of the reviews and the practices’ own web sites. I checked the background of the dentists and their staffs as well as the “personality” of the practice. For example, a number of them seemed to be pushing cosmetic procedures rather than ongoing preventive care. I narrowed it down to three options near his office, he picked one, went today for his initial appointment, and was satisfied.
It wasn’t easy finding a new doctor when we moved to San Diego. First I tried a recommendation from a friend - doctor was concierge only. Then I decided to look for someone affiliated with UCSD Medical because of their high rankings in so many specialties. First choice wasn’t accepting new patients per web site. Second choice indicted she was but when I called, she had just stopped. Third choice - finally. I loved loved loved my old doctor so it took a while to warm to the new one but she is growing on me.
For DS, I think I’ll recommend he start with UW Medical and call them to learn which doctors in his vicinity are accepting new patients. Then he can get a few names and I’ll get to work researching online (which I enjoy) to help him with info. He may end up with a new young doctor which is how I started with my doctor in Illinois.
@busdriver11 It’s not perfect, but I’d recommend One Medical Group. It’s a quasi-national chain. Several different offices in NY. You have to pay a yearly fee. (Google). BTW, it has facilities in Seattle too @Marilyn
He can see a list of the office(s) closest to him. Then he can look through and pick a provider. The good things: you can always get an appointment with a doctor within 48-72 hours. It may not be “your” doctor, but it will be a doctor and (s)he will have access to your medical records. They make a super effort to be on time–it is rare for an appointment to start more than 5 minutes after the scheduled time. You can book appointments on line and change them online. They will do routine stuff like renewing a prescription or sending you lab results without having to come in. They are good at reminding you about routine stuff–flu shot, get you second pneumonia shot, etc. They tend to have time blocks for lab tests, shots, etc. So, if the doc says you need a blood test, you might be told that they do those between 9 am and 1 pm Monday-Friday and you can just stop by when it’s convenient. (You can also go to a different office if the times aren’t convenient.) They take your insurance info once and don’t make you give it a gazillion times. The doctors will answer you via email. You can book appointments for different time periods–if it’s something quick, you can ask for just 15 minutes. If you think you need more time, you book a longer appointment. They seem to be very good at referrals–you say “I’d like to see a dermatologist, a urologist, whoever…” and they recommend someone. I suspect that I get better treatment from specialists’ offices because if I don’t get an appointment promptly, wait too long for appointments, etc., they know I’ll complain and they will lose a lot of referrals.
The bad…a lot of the doctors are already booked up. Many of them are family practitioners and I prefer internists. The turnover is too high, IMO. It’s obvious that the physicians are under pressure to keep on schedule and sometimes you WANT more time. If you are half an hour late for an appointment, you might have to come back a different day.
Both my son and SIL see an internist based on the recommendation of my DIL who is a pediatrician in Manhattan. I will get his name and PM you. I know for a first annual physical, they had to wait 3 months to see him.
^Same here. @college_query@cbreeze My D just moved to Manhattan over the summer and started her new job 3 months ago. Now that she is comfortable at work and has found, moved into and setup her apartment she is beginning to think about her health care needs. She is working in midtown and living in the Kips Bay section of the city. Any references of doctors or dentists would be much appreciated!
joining the thread. My S just graduated law school and moved to Upper West Side. (only a few blocks from Mt. Sinai urgent care, if you received any ideas oldfort?) He works in Lower Manhattan, so any place near the 1 line would be convenient.
Any and all recommendations greatly appreciated. Thanks.