Choosing a gynecologist could affect not only your health, but also the future of your family. Here are some important factors to consider before choosing this important doctor. As with choosing a primary care physician, psychologist, or even a dentist, one of the most important factors in choosing a gynecologist is to make sure that he or she is covered by your insurance carrier. Out of pocket costs for this type of healthcare can be astronomical. Unless you need a specialist that is renowned for performing a certain procedure or treating a certain ailment, then it is recommended that you stay inside your insurance company's network. The main exception, of course, is if money is not a concern in your situation. Narrowing the field to your in-network providers alone will greatly reduce the number of doctors that are available to you. From there you have a few other issues to consider in finding the right doctor. Another factor to look for in a gynecologist is whether or not the doctor is actually board certified in gynecology. Having this certification ensures that a particular doctor has passed the tests required to prove his or her competency in this medical field. Be sure not to confuse the term board certified with board eligible. If a doctor is board eligible, this simply means that he is eligible to take the test he needs to pass in order to become certified. The American Board of Medical Specialties holds the records of all board certified doctors. They can tell you whether or not your potential doctor is certified. If you have found a board certified physician in your network, it would be wise to see if there have been any complaints against him or her. The state medical licensing board can tell you whether a gynecologist has had any disciplinary action taken against him for patient treatment. Also, if a doctor has been sued for malpractice, it could be a definite red flag. Once you are comfortable with a doctor's credentials and background, the next thing to look at is the actual availability of the doctor. When calling the office, pay special attention to how long it will take before the physician can get you in for an initial visit. If the wait is a number of weeks or even months, this may be a precursor of how things will be when you are an actual patient. Not only that, but if a doctor is overbooked, he may not be able to give you the attention that you deserve for your unique situation when you do get an appointment. A major factor to consider when choosing your gynecologist is how the doctor communicates with you. If you cannot understand the doctor, or you feel he is not telling you everything that you need to know about your body and your situation, then this physician is not the one for you. The best way to find this out is by scheduling an introductory visit. Your doctor should be willing to answer all of your questions while also helping you feel as comfortable as possible regardless of your circumstance. When looking for a gynecologist in Covington, LA, turn to Jill Gibson, MD. Learn more at http://www.jillgibsonmd.com.
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