Finding the best orthopedic specialist in Suffolk County, NY, can be stressful. You might feel extremely anxious about where to even start. Here are some things to consider when searching for an orthopedic specialist.
Get a Referral
The first thing you should do is talk to your primary doctor. They will inform you what issues you have and who you need to see. If you need to get surgery, your doctor will recommend a local orthopedic surgery specialist. If you have an injury specific to the neck and back, your doctor might recommend you see an orthopedic spinal specialist.
Whatever the case may be, your doctor will have detailed knowledge about local orthopedic care specialists and can refer you to one with the right qualifications. Family members, colleagues, and other healthcare professionals may have excellent recommendations for you as well. Make a short list of candidates you are interested in, and take enough time to go through their credentials and work experience before making a final choice.
Check Who Your Health Insurance Covers
While researching orthopedic specialists in your area, find out if they will accept your healthcare plan. Whether the specialist is covered or not can drastically impact how much you’ll be paying out of pocket for healthcare. Remember, you deserve to get the most benefits possible at the lowest out of pocket rates available, so make sure to pick a specialist who is covered.
Check Their Credentials
Once you have chosen an orthopedic specialist, carefully review their credentials. This includes their education, what degrees they received, and what kind and how much training they have received. Check to see if they are board-certified by a reliable and highly reputable association, like the American Medical Association (AMA) and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Check for Experience
The more experience an orthopedic specialist has in their chosen field, the higher the chance for success. Ask the specialist how many patients they have worked with and what complications might crop up due to your condition. Schedule a consultation with each specialist. At the consultation, discuss your situation, Listen to what they think about your situation, and ask any questions you have.
Research the hospital
Check the hospital or orthopedic center you choose to make sure they offers high quality care to their patients. The better the care, the higher the rate of success and the less chance of complications during procedures. Consider where the hospital or center is located. One that is close to home might be the best choice, depending on what procedure you need to have done.
Review Feedback and Get a Second Opinion
You can go online and read reviews about what other patients think about the orthopedic specialist you have chosen. You can get helpful information about how the specialist treats their patients. You will also garner insight into how nurses and other staff interact with patients and the quality of service the patients received.
If you are interested in finding out more about what to do when searching for an orthopedic specialist, contact Peconic Bay Medical Center.