Selecting a medical group and physician

Now that you have chosen a health plan, or have decided to continue with the plan you currently have, focus next on the physicians and medical groups serving the plan. If you already have a favorite Primary Care Physician, make sure the health plan you choose includes him or her. If you can't find a plan that includes all of your doctors, decide which doctor is most important to you - or choose a health plan that allows you to see doctors outside the designated network.

Here are some things to consider as you look for a medical group and health care provider:

Provider panel differences

If you don't already have a Primary Care Physician or primary care medical group, you'll need to choose one. Look for one that is conveniently located near your home or office. Offices in more than one city are a plus. Be sure to find out where you'll be sent for lab tests, surgeries, specialist visits or hospitalization. Making an extra trip elsewhere may be inconvenient.

Many health plan members prefer having their Primary Care Physician in or near a multi-specialty office location where specialists, laboratories and diagnostic testing are under one roof. Consider the advantages of choosing Mercy Medical Group as your provider:

• Ten convenient care center locations
• On-site laboratory services
• Women's healthcare
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Occupational Health
• Urgent Care
• Care management programs for asthma, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and congestive heart failure
• Member Service Representatives to answer your questions, from interpreting health plan information to finding a physician who is right for you and your family
• Specialty Physicians in 28 medical and surgical specialties, including Allergy and Immunology, Behavioral Health, Cardiology, Eye Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pain Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Podiatry and Sports Medicine