Choosing Health Care Providers

1. Choosing Health Care Providers Consumer Health Decisions Series

2. Presented by: Name Rank Department of Family Development University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living Educator County

3. This program was developed by: Consumer Health Education Team of the University of Wisconsin-Extension Family Living Program June, 2007 Molly Spaulding, Marma McIntee Allison Hales Espeseth, and Christine Hawkinson, University of Wisconsin-Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Wisconsin counties cooperating. UW-Extension provides equal opportunities in employment and programming, including Title IX and ADA.

4. Adapted from: Consumer Health Decisions Series sponsored by the Healthy People/Healthy Communities Initiative and the National Network for Health, February, 2000

5. Overview • Types of Health Care Providers • Qualifications of Health Care Providers • Where to Find Certification • Tips for Selecting a New Provider

6. Physicians Medical Doctor (MD) Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) Types of Providers

7. Types of Providers, continued Mid-Level Practitioners • Nurse Practitioners (NP) • Physician Assistants (PA) • Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

8. Pharmacists (R.Ph or PharmD) Physical Therapists (PT) Registered Nurses (RN) Registered Dietitians (RD) Optometrists (OD) Chiropractors (DC) Psychologists (PhD) Dentists (DDS) Types of Providers, continued Other Common Providers

9. Scope of Practice • Education • Training • Practical Experience • Federal and State regulations

10. Certification and Licensure • National • Varies by profession • State • http://drl.wi.gov/prof/burhealth.htm • http://drl.wi.gov/drl/drllookup/LicenseLookupServlet?page=lookup_health

11. Selecting a New Health Care Provider • Evaluate reasons you are searching for a new provider • Location • Relationship • Insurance

12. HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) Set monthly fee Low or no Co-payments Primary Care Physician PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) Lower cost for in-network providers Can see any provider at any time (without referral) Managed Care Insurance

13. Personal Criteria for Selecting a New Healthcare Provider • Office location and hours • Appointment policy • Referral policy • Provider Information • Gender • Age

14. General Criteria for Selecting a New Health Care Provider • Proper training and experience • Board certification • Remains within scope of practice • Accepting new patients • Insurance coverage

15. Internet Sources for Provider Information • Provider directories • Provider certification or licensure status • Complaints • Provider information and experience

16. Additional Steps for Selecting a Health Care Provider • Talk with Friends and Family • Speak with Health Care Provider and Staff

17. Consumer Health Decision Series • Communicating with Your Health Care Provider • Gateway to Health: Reliable Information on the Internet

18. For More Information, Contact: Name UW-Extension, _______ County Phone Visit the UWEX website: http://www.COUNTY.uwex.edu