No matter who you are, at some point in your life, you’re going to need to seek medical care. You may have just a virus, or a bacterial infection, or you may be suffering from something more severe. Alternatively, you may be in need of just a standard check up whether it’s for a new job, a woman’s yearly exam, or some other standard reason. Choosing the medical care that will suit your needs, help you get to where you need to go, and not cause you to empty your wallet may seem like an impossible task. Some of the most important things you need to know about seeking out medical care, no matter what your reason, include the following.

Medical Care Not all medical care is created equal. Although free clinics have their place, they are unable to treat all ailments and you may need a doctor in a standard clinic or hospital to treat you.

Medical care, even with insurance, can be very expensive. No two doctors charge exactly the same prices, even when they have the same specialty. It is important to take cost into consideration and remember that just because one doctor charges twice the amount of other doctors does not mean that they are a better doctor. There may be other factors at play.

Not all doctors are accepting new patients. Never set your sights on just one doctor if it is possible to go to another doctor. Sometimes you may choose a doctor that is unable to accept new patients. This may be because they have too many patients in their clinic already. Call several good doctors and take an appointment with one that is able to see you.

· Not all doctors accept all insurances. Even doctors who work in the same clinic may accept different insurances, and even different plans on the same insurance. It is important to make sure that one of the first questions you ask when seeking medical care is whether the doctor will accept your insurance and your insurance plan. If you go to the doctor and they do not accept your insurance plan, you will be expected to pay for the services you receive while at the doctor. This can cause serious problems for you, especially if you need more present medical attention. While you may still be able to send an invoice from the doctor to your insurance company, your insurance company may deny to make a reimbursement to you at all, or may elect to make only a very small reimbursement.
· If you have medical insurance, ensure that you do not need a pre-authorization before receiving treatment for your illness or injury. Accessing medical care without a pre-authorization can cause some of your claims to be denied, leaving you to foot the bill.

Remember, it is critical to know your medical insurance plan and your options for medical care before you head to the doctor for medical care so that you can access proper medical care.