Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives are trained to deliver many aspects of primary care. Physician assistants must practice in partnership with doctors. Nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives can work independently in some States, but not others.

If you already are in a health plan, your choices may be limited to doctors who participate in the plan. But if you have a choice of plans, you may want to first think about which doctor(s) you would like to use. Then, you may be able to choose a plan that has your choice of doctor(s).

What is most important to you in a doctor?

A few ideas are listed below. Add your own to create a list that will help you choose a doctor who is right for you.

• My doctor must be highly rated by a consumer or other group. You will want to find out who did the ratings. Is the information reliable? Who collected it? Does the group have something to gain from the ratings?
  
  
• My doctor needs to have experience with my condition(s). Research shows that doctors who have a lot of experience with a condition tend to have better success with it.
  
  
• I want a doctor who has privileges (is permitted to practice) at the hospital of my choice.
  
  
• My doctor must be part of my health plan.