Finding a Doctor | How to Choose a Quality Primary Care Provider

Medically reviewed by Sarah Henriksen, RN, MSN
Health Education Editor · Last reviewed January 2025

Finding a quality primary care physician — and building an ongoing relationship with a provider who knows your health history — is one of the most important things you can do for your long-term health. Yet the process of finding a doctor can feel opaque, particularly when navigating insurance networks, credential verification, and the practical question of whether a provider is currently accepting new patients.

Start with Your Insurance Network

For most patients with insurance, the starting point is your insurer's provider directory — available through your insurer's website or app. Search for in-network primary care physicians in your ZIP code or surrounding area. Call to verify: provider directories are frequently out of date, and confirming that a provider is actually in-network, accepting new patients, and still at the listed location before scheduling saves significant frustration.

If you are uninsured or seeking a provider who accepts patients regardless of ability to pay, HRSA's health center finder locates Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs), which are required to see patients regardless of insurance status or ability to pay on a sliding-fee scale.

Verifying Provider Credentials

All licensed physicians can be verified through your state medical board's license lookup tool, which also shows whether any disciplinary actions have been taken. Board certification — indicating a physician has completed specialty training and passed board examinations — can be verified through the American Board of Medical Specialties at certificationmatters.org. Board certification is a meaningful quality indicator, particularly for specialist care.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a Provider

Are you currently accepting new patients?
Are you in-network with my insurance plan?
What is your typical wait time for a new patient appointment?
What is your approach to managing chronic conditions like [diabetes, hypertension]?
Do you offer telehealth appointments?
What happens if I need care after hours or on weekends?

Finding Behavioral Health Providers

Finding quality behavioral health providers — therapists, psychiatrists, and addiction specialists — can be particularly challenging due to provider shortages and the high rate of providers who don't accept insurance. Your insurer's behavioral health directory is a starting point. The SAMHSA treatment locator at findtreatment.gov and the SAMHSA buprenorphine prescriber locator are key resources for addiction-related care. Psychology Today's therapist finder allows filtering by insurance accepted, specialty, and treatment approach.