Is the doctor accepting new patients?
Does the doctor take my health insurance?
If you have Managed Care insurance:
Does the office accept it? If the answer is no, and the doctor is head an shoulders above your other choices, ask if the doctor will consider joining your plan. If the answer is "no", ask "why?" You may learn something useful about your plan.
Does the office waive co-payments? They're not supposed to, but many doctors do.
If you have Fee-For-Service (Indemnity) Insurance
Will the office accept assignment of my benefits as full payment?
Will the office do the paperwork or do you have to?
If you have Medicare:
Does the office accept Medicare?
If you have Medicaid
Does the office accept Medicaid?
If you do not have insurance:
What does the doctor charge for office visits?
Is the doctor willing to negotiate fees?
Is the office accessible to me?
If accessibility is an issue for you:
Is the office on the ground floor?
If not, does the building have an elevator?
With which hospital is the doctor affiliated?
Doctors cannot work in hospitals unless they have an affiliation with the hospital. The key is to find out what hospital the doctor can see you in if you need to be hospitalized.
What are the doctor's hours?
What are the hours the doctor sees patients?
On what days?
How can the doctor be reached after hours?
What's the scoop with appointments?
Generally, how long does it take to get an appointment?
How long do patients who come on time generally have to wait to see the doctor?
What is the cancellation policy if I can't make an appointment?
(If applicable) Does the doctor speak (identify your first language if it's not English)?
If not, is there someone in the office who can translate for me?
Does the doctor have other means to translate for me, such as a service we can call when I'm with the doctor?
Does the doctor provide a free initial interview?
Don't expect the answer to be yes, but it doesn't hurt to ask.
What is the procedure in case I have an emergency?
Does the doctor charge patients fees beyond the fee for a visit or for services?
Some doctors charge for additional items such as telephone consultations, paperwork and other services that are usually free.
If Medicare is involved, this may not be legal since additional fees cannot be charged
If you have a Managed Care policy, extra charges may be prohibited in the plan
Who covers for the doctor when she is not available?
What are his/her credentials? Check the person's credentials the same way you checked the doctor you are calling.
Does the doctor give advice over the telephone or through email or fax?
If I call during office hours, does the doctor speak with me then, or generally call back?
If she calls back, when?
Is there an extra charge for speaking with the doctor on the telephone or contact by email or fax?
How do i get renewals of drugs or continuation of treatment when i'm not present with the doctor?
What if the doctor isn't available?
Does the office send reminders about prevention tests, such as pap smears and flu shots?