1. Check board certification
Board certification means a doctor has passed rigorous exams in their specialty and keeps up with ongoing education. For adult primary care, look for certification in Internal Medicine or Family Medicine. You can confirm a doctor's certification for free on the American Board of Internal Medicine or American Board of Family Medicine websites.
2. Make sure they take your insurance
Call the office and ask whether they are in network with your exact plan, not just the insurance company. Medicare, Medicaid / NJ FamilyCare and commercial plans each have separate networks. Using an in-network doctor keeps your co-pays and deductibles lower.
3. Ask about getting seen when you're sick
- Does the office offer same-day visits for colds, flu and other urgent problems?
- Are televisits available, and at what hours?
- Is there an after-hours line that reaches a doctor when the office is closed?
A practice that can see you quickly often saves you a trip to urgent care or the emergency room.
4. Consider language and culture
Being able to explain your symptoms in the language you're most comfortable with leads to better care. Edison has one of the largest South Asian communities in the country, and many practices have staff who speak Hindi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil and other languages. Ask the office which languages their staff speaks.
5. Look at hospital affiliations
If you ever need hospital care, it helps when your doctor is affiliated with a nearby hospital. In the Edison area, the main hospitals include JFK University Medical Center in Edison and RWJ University Hospital Rahway.
6. Read reviews, but read them carefully
Google, Healthgrades and other sites show patient reviews. Look at the overall pattern rather than one or two comments: do patients say the doctor listens, explains clearly and follows up? Recent reviews matter more than old ones.
7. Think about your health needs
If you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, kidney problems or other chronic conditions, choose a doctor experienced in managing them over the long term, and one who focuses on preventing complications, not just treating them.
Questions to ask when you call
- Are you accepting new patients, and how soon is the first available appointment?
- Do you take my insurance plan?
- Can I get a same-day appointment if I'm sick?
- Do you offer televisits?
- Which languages does your staff speak?
- Which hospitals is the doctor affiliated with?
About our practice
At New Jersey Medical Experts, Anil Singh, MD is board certified in Internal Medicine and also in Nephrology, and has practiced medicine since 2003. We accept most major insurance including Medicare and NJ FamilyCare, offer same-day visits for colds and flu, televisits 24/7 for urgent matters and follow-ups, and our staff speaks 11 languages. We're at 1 Ethel Road, Suite 107B, Edison, open Monday to Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an internist and a family doctor?
Internists (internal medicine doctors) specialize in adults, including complex and chronic conditions. Family medicine doctors care for patients of all ages, including children. Both can be an excellent primary care doctor for adults.
How often should I see my primary care doctor?
Most healthy adults should have a yearly physical or wellness visit. People with chronic conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure are usually seen every 3 to 6 months.
Do I need a referral to see a primary care doctor?
No. You can book directly with a primary care doctor. Some HMO plans require you to choose a primary care doctor, who then refers you to specialists.
How do I switch to a new primary care doctor?
Call the new office to confirm they take your insurance and are accepting new patients. If your plan requires it, update your primary care doctor with your insurer. Then sign a records release so your previous doctor can send your records.