There are many reasons people choose to switch doctors, including a move to a new city and changes in insurance coverage. And sometimes people are simply looking for a fresh perspective on managing their health and wellness.
The good news is that changing primary care doctors is usually a straightforward process. With a little planning, you can find a new doctor and get the care you need without disruptions. Below, we'll discuss common reasons for switching primary care doctors and share practical tips to help make the change as easy as possible.
Reasons to change doctors
There are important reasons to have a primary care doctor. But just as important is having a doctor who makes you feel comfortable, heard and confident in the care you receive.
It’s always okay to change doctors, and you don’t need a particular reason to do so. But here are some common reasons to find a new primary care doctor:
Your current doctor is no longer a convenient option
One of the most common reasons people look for a new primary care doctor is because the doctor is no longer available or they’re no longer close enough to make routine appointments practical.
Changing doctors when you move is often a necessary step to make it easy to get preventive care, routine screenings and help for health concerns that come up. You may also need to find a new doctor if your current one relocates, retires or leaves the practice. While saying goodbye to a trusted doctor can be difficult, establishing care with a new primary care doctor can help ensure you continue to receive the care you need.
There are changes in insurance
Maybe you have new insurance because of a job change or your clinic changed the insurances they accept, which means you need to switch to a doctor within a new health system. When searching for a new primary care doctor, visit your plan’s website or call the number on the back of your insurance card to see which providers are covered by your plan. HealthPartners accepts most health insurance plans, including Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota, Cigna, HealthPartners, Medica and many others.
You’re looking for a different type of primary care doctor
There are different types of primary care doctors, and which one you need or prefer may change throughout your life. While all primary care doctors provide preventive care and are trained to treat a wide range of conditions, some doctors have specific areas of expertise.
Here are a few specific reasons you may switch to a different type of doctor, but there are other reasons too.
- Becoming an adult – If your child’s main doctor is a pediatrician, they’ll need to switch to a family medicine or internal medicine doctor at some point since pediatricians typically only care for kids 0-18 years old.
- A growing family – Parents may switch to a family medicine doctor so that everyone in the family can receive care from the same doctor.
- A new diagnosis – Adults with chronic (ongoing) medical conditions, such as high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes, may wish to switch to an internal medicine doctor (or family medicine doctor) who has additional training in helping adults manage those conditions.
Your doctor isn’t a good match for another reason
Your relationship with your primary care doctor can be one of the most important in your life, so it’s important that you like them and feel confident in the care they’re providing. If not, it might be time for a change.
These are reasons why some doctors may be a better match for you than others:
- Comfort – It's important to feel comfortable talking openly with your doctor about your symptoms, concerns and health goals. If you don't, it may be harder to get the care and support you need.
- Communication style – Some people prefer a doctor who takes extra time to explain options, while others appreciate a more direct approach. Having a doctor that communicates in a way that works for you can help you feel more confident in your care.
- Approach to care – Different doctors may recommend different treatment approaches, preventive care strategies or ways of managing chronic conditions. If it seems like your current doctor isn’t open to discussing different options with you, it could be time for a change.
- Culture or language – When a doctor shares your culture or language, it can help make sure that your care and treatment plan are easy to understand and reflect your values.
You’re looking for expanded services or specialty care
Sometimes the decision to change doctors isn't about the quality of care you're receiving. Instead, you may be looking for a clinic or health system that offers more services, the specialty care you need or more convenient care options.
- Coordinated care across specialties – Staying healthy takes a team, and depending on your health, that team may need to be larger at times. If you're diagnosed with a health condition or need specialized care, it can be helpful to have doctors who work together and can easily coordinate your treatment.
- Convenient testing services – It’s nice to have testing services close to home. It can be even better if the services you need are available at the same location as the doctor. For example, if there are laboratory services at the same location as your office visit, it can help prevent the need to schedule a separate lab appointment. Some locations may also offer same-day mammograms for women.
- Virtual care options – What are your options when you need care, but don’t want to head into the clinic? Doctors who are part of larger health systems (like HealthPartners) may offer convenient virtual care options like video appointments and e-visits.
How to change your primary care doctor
Changing primary care doctors is pretty easy but it can take a bit of time. It’s good to start the process as soon as possible, especially if you have upcoming or ongoing care needs. And remember, you have a lot of resources to help as you make this change, including your doctor’s office, insurance plan, health system, friends and family. Here are the four things you need to do when switching doctors.
1. Search for a new primary care doctor and make an appointment
This is likely an obvious first step. But the question is how to choose a primary care doctor that’s right for you.
Start by thinking about the reasons you’re making a change and what you’re looking for in a new doctor. For many people the next step is getting recommendations from people they trust, such as friends, family or other doctors. You can also use a doctor finder tool on health care websites (like this one) to learn more about doctors that could be a fit for your needs. Your insurance plan’s member services can also provide guidance.
As you compare doctors, consider:
- Whether they're accepting new patients and are in your insurance network
- Practical factors like location, office hours and virtual care options
- Their experience, areas of expertise and approach to care
Once you find a new doctor that you think could work, go ahead and make the appointment.
2. When switching doctors, take steps to avoid gaps in care
When changing primary care doctors, it’s important that your health needs are covered during the transition. Here are some steps you can take.
- Request any final prescription refills or referrals.
- Schedule your upcoming annual physical exam with the new doctor right away since there can be longer wait times for these types of appointments.
- Make a list of current medications, specialists and chronic conditions.
- Keep copies of recent test results and immunization records.
3. Transfer medical records to new doctor
If you switch to a doctor in a different health system, you may need to have your medical records sent to your new provider. If you're staying within the same health system, your new doctor can often access your records automatically.
To transfer records, contact your current doctor's office and ask about their process. You may need to complete a medical records release form and provide information about your new provider.
A records transfer can take days or even weeks, so don't wait until your first appointment to request it. Even if you request the transfer in advance, it’s still a good idea to bring a list of your medications, allergies and current treatments to your first appointment in case your records haven't arrived yet.
Do you have to transfer medical records to a new doctor?
No, but sharing your medical records can help your new doctor better understand your health history and provide more seamless care. If you don't transfer your complete record, consider providing key information such as your medications, immunizations, recent test results and current health conditions.
4. Close out care with your current doctor
There are specific things that you should do to ease the transition to a new doctor and be considerate of your current doctor and their other patients, including:
- Ensure outstanding bills or administrative issues are resolved
- Cancel future appointments you won't attend
- Submit any records-release authorization
- Verify how to obtain records in the future if needed
Remember that switching doctors is normal and clinics handle these requests regularly. If you have questions, your doctor’s office should be able to answer them.
What to say when changing doctors
You don’t need to let your current doctor know that you’re making a change. Most patients simply establish care with a new doctor and ensure their health information is available to the new practice.
Of course, if you’d like to provide feedback, you’re welcome to do so. Most clinics and doctors are very interested in hearing about what they do well and what they could do better.
Find your next doctor at HealthPartners
Having a primary care doctor that you trust and see regularly makes it so much easier to stay on top of your health.
HealthPartners doctors are known for amazing care, earning recognition such as Top Doctors by Minnesota Monthly and Mpls.St.Paul Magazine.
With hundreds of primary care doctors at HealthPartners, you have a lot to choose from. And if you need additional care, we’ve got you covered there, too. We’re one of the largest multispecialty care groups in the region with experts in over 50 medical and surgical specialties.
No matter your care needs or preferences, we’re sure to have a doctor that’s perfect for you.