Living Here Guide 2009
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Monday, Sep. 14, 2009

Here's help with picking a doctor

By Karen Garloch - kgarloch@charlotteobserver.com
  • Services for people with no incomes or no insurance

    For a list of free health clinics across the state, contact the N.C. Association of Free Clinics, 336-251-1111, www.ncfreeclinics.org.

    CHARLOTTE COMMUNITY HEALTH CLINIC: 3040-A Eastway Drive, 704-316-6561.

    FREE CLINIC OF OUR TOWNS: Ada Jenkins Center, 212 Gamble St., Davidson, 704-896-0471, ext. 116.

    LAKE NORMAN FREE CLINIC: 14230 Hunters Road, Huntersville, 704-947-6858.

    MATTHEWS HEALTH CLINIC: 113 N. Ames St., Matthews, 704-841-8882.

    PRIMERA FUNDACION CLINICA DE LAS CAROLINAS: 4938 Central Ave., 704-567-0465.

    BETHESDA HEALTH CENTER (CENTRO DE SALUD BETHESDA): 133 Stetson Drive in University City, 704-596-5606.

    CHARLOTTE VOLUNTEERS IN MEDICINE: 1315 Beatties Ford Road, 704-350-1300.

    SHELTER HEALTH SERVICES: Salvation Army Center of Hope homeless shelter, 534 Spratt St., 704-334-0000.

    C.W. WILLIAMS COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER: 3333 Wilkinson Blvd. and 1918 Randolph Road, Suite 670, 704-393-7720.

    CAROLINAS MEDICAL CENTER CLINICS: At Myers Park, 1350 S. Kings Drive, 704-446-1246; Eastland Family Practice Center, 5516 Central Ave., 704-446-1000; NorthPark, 251 Eastway Drive, 704-446-9991; and Biddle Point, 1801 Rozzelles Ferry Road, 704-446-9987.

    TEEN HEALTH CONNECTION: 3541 Randolph Road, Suite 206, 704-381-8336.

    MECKLENBURG COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT: 249 Billingsley Road and 2845 Beatties Ford Road, 704-336-6500.

    COMMUNITY HEALTH SERVICES: 601 E. Fifth St., Suite 140, 704-375-0172.

    PHYSICIANS REACH OUT (answers as Community Health Services): 704-371-4740.

    MEDASSIST OF MECKLENBURG: 5516 Central Ave., 704-536-1790.

    Doctors on the Web

    CAROLINAS HEALTHCARE SYSTEM: www.carolinashealthcare.org

    PRESBYTERIAN HEALTHCARE: www.presbyterian.org

    AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION DOCTORFINDER: www.ama-assn.org

    WEBMD PHYSICIAN DIRECTORY: www.doctor.webmd.com

    DOCFINDER: www.docboard.org

    AMERICAN DENTAL ASSOCIATION: www.ada.org

When you're looking for a new doctor, some of the best advice can come from friends and relatives. But if you're new to the area and don't know anyone to ask, other resources are available.

Several online search engines can help locate a doctor or dentist by location, name, specialty or other criteria. The American Medical Association, WebMD and the American Dental Association offer nationwide searchable databases.

Area hospital systems, including Carolinas HealthCare System and Presbyterian Healthcare, list affiliated doctors on their Web sites. Several health plans also offer online search engines of health care professionals included in the plan's network.

Carolyn Scruggs, executive director of the Mecklenburg County Medical Society, advises choosing a doctor while you're well instead of waiting until you're sick. Consider which hospital a doctor uses, whether the doctor is board certified and has experience treating your medical condition, where the doctor's office is, the office hours and how long it takes to get a routine appointment.

Once you have a name, you can check credentials at either the N.C. Medical Board or the S.C. Board of Medical Examiners.

Both provide information on licensed medical doctors and physician assistants, including disciplinary actions.

State boards also license other health care professionals, including nurses, dentists, pharmacists, chiropractors, physical therapists, psychologists, optometrists, acupuncturists and massage therapists. Many of these boards provide a credential-checking service.

Health insurance plans often restrict your choice of doctors and dentists, so it's good to review the insurer's list of network health care professionals.

You may also want to look at whether the doctor is part of a group practice that can provide backup if your doctor is unavailable.

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