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National Institute on Aging

Choosing a Doctor

Mrs. Wiley had a big surprise the other day when she called her doctor’s office to make an appointment. The receptionist told her that Dr. Horowitz was retiring at the end of the year. After all this time — 
What Type of Doctor? For your primary care doctor, you might want a general or family practitioner, an internist, or a geriatrician. ) General practitioners provide 

health care for a wide range of medical problems. They do not focus on any one area of medicine. 

) Family practitioners are similar 

to general practitioners, with extra training on health care for all family members, regardless of age
know about doctors they use and like. Friends, coworkers, and other 

health professionals 

may be helpful. 

You can make 

it easier for 

them to tell 

you about the doctors 

they like by 

asking questions such as, 

“What do you 

like about your doctor?” 
What does Medicare cover?Most people age 65 and older are eligible for Medicare hospital insurance (Part A). They also can enroll in Medicare medical insurance (Part B) for a monthly fee. Medicare medical insurance helps pay for visits to the doctor. It also covers many other medical services and supplies not covered by Medicare’s Part A.

Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D) is a voluntary Medicare 

program that helps pay for both brand name and generic prescription drugs at participating area 
When Your Doctor Stops Seeing PatientsOften when a doctor leaves a medical practice, he or she can arrange for you to see another doctor who will have access to all your medical records. You should go for an office visit with the new doctor before deciding if you want him or her to be your physician. What Should You Look for in a Doctor? Of course you want a doctor who 
you, payment methods, and the hospitals where the doctor sends patients. When choosing a new doctor you may want to know about: ) Board certification. Board 

certified doctors have extra training after medical school to become specialists in a field of medicine such as family practice, internal medicine, or geriatrics. 

) Communication. Because 

communication is important to good health care, you want 
other doctors and what are their specialties?

) Coverage. Who sees patients 

for the doctor if he or she is out of town or not available? 

How Do You Make a Good Choice? Find out as much as you can about the doctor and the practice. Here are more questions you may want to ask the office staff: ) Does the doctor see many 

older patients? 
down any questions you may have. It’s a good idea to bring a list of your medicines. Include 

both prescription and over-the-counter drugs, even vitamins, supplements, and eye drops. The nurse is often the first person you’ll talk to in the office. The nurse usually takes your blood pressure and asks about your medications. If you’re having a problem 
For instance, ask the doctor:) Will you give me written 

instructions about my care? 

) May I bring a family member 

(spouse, daughter, or son) to my office visits? 

) Are you willing to talk with 

my family about my condition? 

) Will you maintain my privacy 

if I ask you not to discuss my condition with anyone else?

After the meeting, ask yourself 

if you felt comfortable and confident with this doctor. Were you at ease 
Finding a doctor that suits your needs is an important first step. Good communication with the doctor and the office staff is key. For More InformationAmerican Academy of Family Physicians11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway Leawood, KS 66211-2672 800-274-2237 (toll-free) www.familydoctor.orgAmerican College of PhysiciansAmerican Society of Internal Medicine

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American Osteopathic Association 142 East Ontario Street Chicago, IL 60611 800-621-1773 (toll-free) www.osteopathic.orgCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services 7500 Security Boulevard Baltimore, MD 21244-1850 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227/toll-free) www.medicare.govFor more information on health and aging, contact:
Visit NIHSeniorHealth.gov (www.nihseniorhealth.gov), a seniorfriendly website from the National Institute on Aging and the National Library of Medicine. This simple-touse website features popular health topics for older adults. It has large type and a “talking” function that reads the text out loud.