Doctors and Hospital Guide Los Angeles
Health treatment in Los Angeles can be expensive even by US standards but LA’s services and facilities are some of the best in the country, if not in the world, with more than 800 hospitals and clinics, including UCLA Medical Center, which ranks among the top hospitals in the world. Cedars Sinai hospital is also known for its great doctors. There are many doctors who have private practices designed to cater to different cultural backgrounds as well as areas of medicine. Some doctors will have stand-alone practices while others remain connected to hospitals.
Finding a local general practitioner to look after you and your family can be a bit daunting with hundreds of general practitioners from which to choose. Your first step should be to consult the list of doctors and dentists who are covered under your health insurance which will be provided on the insurer’s website. Seeing a doctor outside your coverage will cost you much more. Of course, one should consider location and convenience, as well as expertise, when deciding on a GP. Getting a good referral or report from a family member or a friend is also a great way to find a GP.
Many websites that provide information on GP’s will have customer reviews and write ups about the GP’s. Here are a few that are recommended:
- Rate MDs (http://www.ratemds.com/)
- Health Grades (http://www.healthgrades.com/)
- Health Care Reviews (http://www.healthcarereviews.com/)
Always look for one with a good standing with clients as well as the major regulators of physicians. Once you find one that you feel comfortable with trying, contact them for your first appointment. Once you do this, you can then be referred to specialist in many areas through your primary GP.
In most cases, a long wait for an appointment is a sign that the practitioner is highly demanded among patients. Some may even make house calls. Try to shoot for a more popular care giver if you can. NEVER be afraid to ask questions!
