Ted Stumpf
Ted Stumpf, Windermere Napa Valley PropertiesPhone: (707) 246-9825
Email: [email protected]

Tips To Help You Choose a New Family Doctor

by Ted Stumpf 10/06/2019

You don’t have to wait until you become ill before you think of getting a family doctor. You always tend to spend more than necessary when you don’t have a family doctor that will attend to your medical needs or if you select a practice that rejects your insurance. If you don't know how to go about choosing a good family doctor, here are 5 great tips for you:

Importance of network. When you select a family doctor that is part of your network, you will not only pay less out of your pocket when you visit them; you will also not need to pay any additional fees or unexpected costs. Your insurance provider is in the best position to give you information about the in-network doctors near you. In case there is none, look for a family doctor that will accept your insurance. 

Consider distance. Distance is overlooked most times by those seeking a family doctor. There are a lot of benefits involved when you have your family close to you. Apart from the quick and easy accessibility, it saves you the stress of embarking on a long-distance journey whenever you have an appointment with your family doctor. In case there are no doctors close by, schedule your visit whenever it is convenient for you. 

Specialized care. You must put the specific needs of your family into consideration when looking for a family doctor. This is very important especially if any member of your family needs specialized care. If you cannot get a family doctor in that area of specialty, you'll need to have a specialist referral.

Schedule a visit. A doctor may seem perfect, but you may not be delighted with their quality of service. Therefore, most doctors will offer you a free initial consultation to enable you to get acquainted with their mannerism and commitment.

Ask for referrals. We are in an era where there is an online review for almost everything, and family medicine is no exception. While you should not base your decision on these reviews, they can always provide you with information that will guide you towards choosing the right family doctor. A good testimonial will give you reliable answers to the following questions – what are the wait times? Are the office staffs friendly and dedicated to duty? Is there a specific doctor that is preferred by many? These and many more questions will give you insight that will help you choose the right family doctor.

About the Author
Author

Ted Stumpf

Ted draws energy and joy from building synergetic relationships with his Clients. Ted's nature is graciously gregarious and persevering; he's honest; and he's been dedicated to a substantial list of clientele throughout his 25 years in the hospitality business and almost two years as a REALTOR. His passion is creating a sincere, successful relationship with people.

Ted grew up in a family of Realtors in central Indiana, earned a degree in economics and philosophy from the University of Notre Dame, and jumped into all aspects of the restaurant business. His ensuing hospitality career path eventually led him into the Event Management Sales & Service role in hotels and quickly guided him to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and finally to a luxury resort in the Napa Valley, where he, his husband, and their dog have resided for almost a decade now.  

The irony is not lost on Ted that his ‘growth’ journey has culminated in“living happily ever after” in an agricultural area with a small-town feel and sense of community strikingly reminiscent of his youth…and as a REALTOR nonetheless!