Best Way to Find a Good Dr. In Chicago (health insurance, opthamologist)

[danfed]

New to the City; living in Streeterville. Trying to establish a relationship w/ health care professional. Have the eye doctor and dentist found but looking for a good GP to establish a long overdue baseline physical.

Looked into an executive all day physical @ U of Chicago Medical Center. $3,500 and it's incumbent upon the patient to file for insurance reimbursement and hope for the best. I'm not going there.

No known health issues but at 52 y.o., I feel I need to be a bit more proactive. I'm scratching my head as to where to start. I'm flexible in terms of distance so I'd rather have a well referenced doctor even if he's not in my immediate vicinity.

Any recommendations for a doctor or suggestions on how to find one? Trying to avoid the "wham bam, what's ailing you" physical in favor of something more in depth.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or guidance.

[marothisu]

Usually there's sites like Health Grades that you can look at doctor ratings (if they have one). Do you have health insurance? Why not Northwestern Medical? They are in Streeterville and huge! I am guessing most of their GP may be at other sites, part of the Physician's Network, but you never know (the only doctor I've seen at the Streeterville campus was an ENT. I saw another one once but near North & Clybourn). They have their Physicians Group network that extends to offices outside of the area, but I find Northwestern to be good and I think in general, they're actually rated higher than U of Chicago.

I think you can use their site to look it up
http://www.nmpg.com/

Both times, I called their number, which you can use to get information on which doctors can cover you. Both times they gave me a short list of doctors' names and I was able to research them before picking which one I wanted to make an appointment with.

[knitgirl]

I live in the burbs, but the local hospital by me has a physician finder app on their website. Plug in some information and it pulls up several doctors that fit your criteria. It had profiles and you can get some basic info about their education and philosophy. I used it just this spring to find a new doctor who I think is terrific. I would imagine most hospitals would have something similar.

[DeepLiquid]

Lucky you being so close to Northwestern Memorial! Here is a physician finder for them: Find a Doctor or Physician - Northwestern Memorial Hospital - Chicago

My brother sees a wonderful neuro-opthamologist there and has nothing but great things to say about every professional he's encountered.

[danfed]

Great info; thank you all!

Another related question...is a GP now known as an Internal Medicine dr.? I can't seem to find any on the Northwestern site that goes by the GP monkier so maybe this is a dated term/description?

Basically, I'm looking for a good general dr. who can perform a thorough physical exam and then refer me on in the event any specific health issues are discovered. Given the proximity, diversity of specialist and recommendations herein, Northwestern seems like a very good choice.

On the question of insurance, yes, I have group coverage through my employer with BC/BC of IL. I also have a flex spending account on which I've withheld more than I'll likely need to cover any deductibles and non-insured events.

Thanks again!

[marothisu]

Danfed, I would call the 800 number for Northwestern tomorrow and say you're looking for a general practice doctor when they ask what you're looking for. They should be able to steer you in the right direction and give you the names of some doctors. If they can't, then I'd be VERY surprised. Everytime I've called them for an appointment of any kind, they always list me the names of a few doctors I can choose from.

[danfed]

Cool, I'll do it, thanks again.

[DeepLiquid]

GP's are pretty much separated into Internal or Adult Medicine, and Family Medicine practices. I prefer Internal Medicine docs, their waiting areas aren't usually full of kids.

[baileyvpotter]

Originally Posted by danfed

New to the City; living in Streeterville. Trying to establish a relationship w/ health care professional. Have the eye doctor and dentist found but looking for a good GP to establish a long overdue baseline physical

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or guidance.

Originally Posted by marothisu

Usually there's sites like Health Grades that you can look at doctor ratings (if they have one). Do you have health insurance? Why not Northwestern Medical? They are in Streeterville and huge! I am guessing most of their GP may be at other sites, part of the Physician's Network, but you never know (the only doctor I've seen at the Streeterville campus was an ENT. I saw another one once but near North & Clybourn). They have their Physicians Group network that extends to offices outside of the area, but I find Northwestern to be good and I think in general, they're actually rated higher than U of Chicago.

I think you can use their site to look it up
Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group (NMPG)

Both times, I called their number, which you can use to get information on which doctors can cover you. Both times they gave me a short list of doctors' names and I was able to research them before picking which one I wanted to make an appointment with.

Definitely recommend Northwestern. Can't you ask your dentist and eye care doctor for an internist
or GP referral who is affiliated with NW? Also nurses who work for NW would be another source for
doctor recommendations. Health Grades is a good guide however some information on a particular
physician can be outdated i.e., accepting new patients or insurance plus from personal experience
ratings can be subjective.

[danfed]

Thanks again for the additional advice and guidance. Been away for two days but will pick up the search tomorrow.