How to Check Your Doctors Medical Credentials

With the price of health care increasing, consumers like you, are demanding high-quality service. It is advisable to check a doctor's credentials and find out about their background. When you are looking for a specialist -- or when want information about the physician who is already treating you -- turn to the Internet. There are many websites that provide useful information to assist with your research.

Instructions

• 1

  Access the Federation of State Medical Boards physician profile. This report provides the professional qualifications of both physicians and physician assistants; including disciplinary actions, their medical specialty, history, the location where they are licensed to practice and their education.

• 2

  Select how you want to obtain the profile by clicking "'Get Immediate Results" or "Mail In Request" in the Order Options box.

• 3

  Fill out the FSMB Physician Profile Request, make the payment and the information will be displayed on your screen, sent to the email you provided, or mailed to you.

• 4

  Find a doctor, hospital or nursing home at HealthGrades.com. This website provides reports and ratings to guide you to better health care providers.

• 5

  Click on "Find a Doctor", "Find a Hospital", or "Find a Nursing Home" to receive instant reports on how other patients have rated them, and information concerning any disciplinary actions. When checking on your existing doctor, type in his name -- use the drop-down box for the specialty -- and type in his address or zip code.

• 6

  Visit MDNationwide.org. This organization provides information on over 3,000 doctors in America.

• 7

  Click on "Consumers Guide to Top Doctors Database" or "Check Your Doctor All in One Report". Castle Connolly provides information about doctors in America through online directories and printed guides.

• 8

  Find out if they are board certified through the American Board of Medical Specialties website. According to The National Committee for Quality Assurance, choosing a high-quality health plan --- and a high-quality doctor --- plays a significant role in determining whether you'll get high-quality care. Click on "Report Cards" for free resources.