Open Enrollment
An Opportunity to Review your Health Insurance Options
It is currently open enrollment season which means that now is the time that many employers are allowing employees to review and change their insurance and spending account benefits coverage for the upcoming year. Employees can start coverage if they don’t have any, change from one health plan to another, change primary care physicians, add/delete family members, or drop their coverage altogether. Open enrollment periods are based on the employer’s insurance renewal period and generally run for a month prior to renewal. The 2011 Medicare open enrollment period is October 15 to December 31.
Choosing a doctor that is right for you is part of open enrollment. It is one of the most important personal decisions you can make. We recommend identifying a doctor with whom you can communicate well, trust and establish a long-term relationship. Here are some things to consider when looking for your Dr. Right:
Find a Physician Who Contracts with Your Insurance: this step can get tricky because of constant changes in the health insurance industry and changing relationships between insurers and practitioners. Make sure you’re up-to-date on what type of insurance the doctor accepts. (review the list of Bay Valley Medical Group’s contracted health plans here.)
Location: your doctor’s location may be important to you, especially if reliable transportation is difficult or if you live and work in different areas. Also, consider if you may need to be hospitalized at some point and you have a strong preference for a particular hospital when you’re searching for the right doctor. Make sure your doctor has staff privileges at that hospital.
Track Record: You want a doctor with a clean and successful record. Some public information is available through the Medical Board of California; www.medbd.ca.gov. Consult with family and/or close friends for a recommendation.
Board Certification: board-certified doctors participate in an extensive process that involves completing accredited education and specialty training and periodic oral and written exams to demonstrate their competency; it means that they are dedicated to providing exceptional care through a rigorous, voluntary commitment to lifelong learning.
Communication Style: because communication is key to good health care, select a doctor who will listen carefully to your concerns, answer your questions, and explain things clearly and fully.
Personal Preferences: some people may consider age, gender and culture as important preferences when selecting a doctor. Knowing yourself and what type of person you are most comfortable with is important to establishing a long-term relationship.
If you would like assistance with choosing a physician at Bay Valley Medical Group, please phone customer service at (510) 785-5000. Our representatives are available Monday-Friday, 8:30 am – 5:30 pm. |
