How do you find a doctor, dentist, vet, etc?

Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Do you just use the phone book (does anyone look at that anymore?), just stop in a place you noticed near your home, or ask friends? Do you do online research (if so, what sites?). In short, how do you find professional services for yourself or family?
Answers (public voting - your screen name will appear in the results):
wrecklesswords , Bignuf , Isola , dontbackdown02 , raggedyanndy , Rifflynnane , michael scofield
7
wrecklesswords , Bignuf , Ansley , eri86 , Rin (aka Nire) , dontbackdown02 , PadoruLover , Kitten has left the site , KittiezToyz , Thong man
10
dontbackdown02
1
wrecklesswords , Rin (aka Nire) , michael scofield
3
Rossie , U3H , lala22
3
Total votes: 24 (17 voters)
Poll is open
12/28/2013
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Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I check my insurance's provider network to see which doctors are available and research from that list.
12/28/2013
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
I don't have insurance, so I'm not limited to that. I rely on word of mouth and online reviews, which I suppose is the same thing.

Other times, if I see a place nearby, I might just walk in and try. Or at least I will walk in to ask questions to the staff to see how friendly they are.
12/28/2013
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by Rossie
I check my insurance's provider network to see which doctors are available and research from that list.
Oh my, I forgot to add that critical component. Indeed, any of us on a "plan" has limited options of "in" or "out of" network. Good point Rossie.
12/28/2013
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by wrecklesswords
I don't have insurance, so I'm not limited to that. I rely on word of mouth and online reviews, which I suppose is the same thing.

Other times, if I see a place nearby, I might just walk in and try. Or at least I will walk in to ask ... more
Since, by law, you will have to have insurance, in just a couple short days, will you switch doctors if your favorites are not covered on the plan you buy, or will you buy a plan, based on if your favorite doctors accept it? There is an interesting question. Will you even be able to find out, in time, what plans your doctor will accept or not?
12/28/2013
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
Since, by law, you will have to have insurance, in just a couple short days, will you switch doctors if your favorites are not covered on the plan you buy, or will you buy a plan, based on if your favorite doctors accept it? There is an interesting ... more
I don't have a favorite doctor and I haven't been to a regular doctor's appontment in a VERY long time, so it doesn't really matter to me.

I mean, I guess I technically have insurance through work, but it's Aflac so I don't consider it insurance so much as just... a paycheck for going to the doctor, you know?

I hardly ever go to the doctor anyway, which, I should go more than I do, but it's been such a hassle in the past and this is the first time I've had any kind of insurance coverage in about 11 years (I'm 25) so going to the doctor was on an emergency level not an "Oh, I might have a slight cough, let's go" level.

Now I guess I can go without having to worry if I can afford it or not, huh?
12/28/2013
Contributor: imperialyellowdragon imperialyellowdragon
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
Do you just use the phone book (does anyone look at that anymore?), just stop in a place you noticed near your home, or ask friends? Do you do online research (if so, what sites?). In short, how do you find professional services for yourself or ... more
just google them. when I was your age I used a thing called the phone books. LOL
12/28/2013
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by wrecklesswords
I don't have a favorite doctor and I haven't been to a regular doctor's appontment in a VERY long time, so it doesn't really matter to me.

I mean, I guess I technically have insurance through work, but it's Aflac so I ... more
Well, not really. Under most of the new plans, you still will have to pay, up front, for the whole visit. There are no minimal "co-pays". Some preventative care visits might be free, but anything you have to get "checked out" might cost you. Best to have a relationship with a doctor now, and know exactly what an office visit will cost, rather then get a surprise, at the last minute, when you really need one, and have to go shopping for a doctor when ill...assuming you can find one who will see you on short notice, that is.
12/29/2013
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by imperialyellowdragon
just google them. when I was your age I used a thing called the phone books. LOL
I'm honestly surprised that there are phone books still being published. Who looks at them?
12/29/2013
Contributor: charmedtomeetyou charmedtomeetyou
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I'm honestly surprised that there are phone books still being published. Who looks at them?
We just got a new phone book the other day. My husband said, why didn't you just tell them to keep it, now we have to have it sitting around or chuck it ourselves.
12/29/2013
Contributor: wrecklesswords wrecklesswords
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
I'm honestly surprised that there are phone books still being published. Who looks at them?
I have a lot of hotel guests that like to look at them. But, most of my clientele is also older couples who don't fully trust or understand how to use a computer to look things up.
12/29/2013
Contributor: Ansley Ansley
I rely on family and friends when it comes to those things.
01/01/2014
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Never really had to seek out any of these folks, since most of the ones I have I've been going to (or in the case of the vet, taking my pets to) since I was a kid. If I had to look for one, I'd try to find a place near me or ask people I know who they go to.
01/28/2014
Contributor: dontbackdown02 dontbackdown02
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
Do you just use the phone book (does anyone look at that anymore?), just stop in a place you noticed near your home, or ask friends? Do you do online research (if so, what sites?). In short, how do you find professional services for yourself or ... more
I usually pick someone who takes my insurance. To find that out I have to call them or ask around.
01/31/2014
Contributor: PadoruLover PadoruLover
I just ask people who I know or I just go online and look at reviews.
02/02/2014
Contributor: raggedyanndy raggedyanndy
For healthcare, I always start with who my insurance covers and narrow it down from there, generally based on companies' websites as well as my coworkers' recommendations. Everything else is half word-of-mouth, half what's-the-cheapest?
02/02/2014
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by charmedtomeetyou
We just got a new phone book the other day. My husband said, why didn't you just tell them to keep it, now we have to have it sitting around or chuck it ourselves.
So true.
02/02/2014
Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
Quote:
Originally posted by raggedyanndy
For healthcare, I always start with who my insurance covers and narrow it down from there, generally based on companies' websites as well as my coworkers' recommendations. Everything else is half word-of-mouth, half what's-the-cheapest?
Indeed, the insurance companies may really narrow down your choices in many cases!
02/02/2014
Contributor: Kitten has left the site Kitten has left the site
I tend to ask my husband first if he knows of any I should go for or what. Though we don't have insurance so :/ it's really hard even to go, they charge at least $140.00 alone just to SEE you nowadays...getting a tooth pulled for us both goes nearly over $300.00
02/04/2014
Contributor: michael scofield michael scofield
Usually check online and read reviews if they have. The last dentist I been too I actually was just walking buy and decided to call and make appt and she is now my dentist who I will be seeing regulary
07/28/2015
Contributor: TheToyGuy TheToyGuy
I am a professional nurse so finding the right doctor, dentist etc. is second nature.
09/18/2015