Tips on Finding New Physicians if Your Insurance Changed This Year

If your insurance changed this year, you may be faced with finding new physicians. This can be especially wrenching if you have had seen doctors for a long time who know you and that you trust; however, you can ease the transition by following these simple tips.

Ask if your old physician has a contract with your new insurance company. Go to your new insurance plan’s website and look through their provider directory that lists the doctors, hospitals and others that your plan has a contract with to provide care. If you don’t see your physician listed, pick up the phone and call the doctor’s office to see if they accept your health plan.

If your doctor isn’t in your new plan, move on. You’ll pay the least amount if you see a doctor who has a contract with your health plan. This is called an in-network provider. Many plans allow you to see someone out-of-network, but that can be considerably more expensive. There are many competent doctors, so choose one who is in your plan rather than paying more to see an out-of-network provider. That is rarely justified unless there is an emergency and almost never worth the added expense.

Ask for recommendations. If you have a trusting relationship with your old physician, he or she is going to want to see that you are in the best hands. So ask her if she can recommend someone who is within your new network of providers. You can also ask friends and family for recommendations. If someone you trust recommends a doctor they trust who is in your network, it is likely that that physician will be a good fit for you. And if you are part of an online neighborhood network, ask about physicians in the neighborhood.

Take the right documentation to your appointment. You’ll need your new insurance card, a photo ID, a list of medications you are taking, and any pertinent information about your family’s health history. Also jot down your questions and concerns so that you don’t forget to ask.

Health care is complicated enough. So when it comes to reporting your health insurance status on your taxes, don’t worry! TurboTax has you covered and is up to date with the latest tax laws. If you are like the majority of taxpayers with employer or government-provided health insurance or private insurance, reporting your health insurance is as easy as checking a box in TurboTax. If you purchased insurance in the Marketplace or on your state exchange, you will receive a 1095-A, which is just like inputing a W-2.