These sites allow you to search for the best doctor and health advocate for your health issue.

There are informative articles at the bottom on how to make the best use of your doctor visits and to evaluate a doctor.

Partner with your doctor.  Be prepared for the visit and ask questions.  If you have an ongoing treatment and it is not working look for an alternative solution.

Find Doctors Certified by the American Board of Medical Specialties

Research over 600,000 physicians nationwide

Requires free online registration for information on a doctor.

Find a Doctor/Hospital site

From the U.S. Library of Medicine &

The National Institutes of Health

Health Grades

Search and compare doctors and find new doctors. The cost for a report on a specific doctor is $29.95.

Book Identifies Americas Best Cancer Doctors

'America's Top Doctors For Cancer Care'

National Institutes of Health and the National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus

Doctors directory site

Find a Doctor or Other Healthcare Professional

Guide from Medicare

The Countries Most Influential Doctors

USA Today

August 8, 2009

What You Don’t Know Might Kill You

Article on the importance of finding the right doctor

Newsweek

October 26, 2009

Finding the Right Doctor

AARP

September 2009

QualityHealth.com

This site offers symptom checker with personalized questions to ask you doctor based on conditions and symptoms. 

Medicine Meets a Cultural Gap

Simple awareness can be bridge between patient and doctor

USA Today

February 14, 2008

Special Issues

You should also insure your doctor understands the special health issues of your age group. Please note this article on doctors who specialize on older patients. 

Geriatric Doctors Lag in Age of High Tech Medicine

New York Times

October 18, 2006

(Requires free, one time registration)

You Can Find Dr. Right with Some Effort

The New York Times

(One time free registration required)

September 29, 2008

In Search of a Good Doctor

The New York Times

Free one time registration required

January 10, 2009

5 Tips For Finding the Right Cardiologist

Health.com

August 2008

Why Doctors Make Mistakes

Almost 15% of patients are misdiagnosed by their doctors

June 2009

Health Advocates

There are a number of options for health advocates.  Before choosing one, make sure you understand  the fees you will pay and the services they will provide:

Center For Patient Partnership

From the University of Wisconsin

For patients with chronic or life-threatening illnesses.

There is no cost

Healthcare Navigation

Helps with medical bills and insurance issues

There is a fee

HKS Patient Advocates

Specializes in medical decision making

There is a fee

M.D. Can Help, P.C, formerly Palliative Care Associates

Works with patients with chronic and incurable diseases

There is a fee

HealthProponent

They are a patient advocate company. 

• Healthcare and insurance help
• Help with diagnosis issues
• Time and money saving solutions to health issues

Patientcare

• They help members navigate the health care system
• They resolve insurance issues
• They provide specific cost and quality information for tests, surgeries and other health care services

HealthCare Advocates

The link is to their services site.

• Physician referral service
• Insurance disputes services
• Fee negotiation service
• Bills and forms consolidation
• Nursing home, assisted living and hospice care selection help
• Much more

HealthChampion

They are a patient advocate company.  They "help you understand your benefits and how to get the most out of your health care dollars."

Benefits selection

Provide an overview of your health plan options

Provide help in selecting medical professionals

Provide claims assistance

Provide claims appeals

Patient Advocate Foundation

Patient Advocate Foundation offers assistance to patients with specific issues they are facing with their insurer, employer and/or creditor regarding insurance, job retention and/or debt crisis matters relative to their diagnosis of life threatening or debilitating diseases.
There is no fee.

FamiliesUSA.com

This group offers links to state health advocates and state government health advocates

HELPFUL ARTICLES

Making the Most of Doctor Visits

The Wall Street Journal

(Access may not be available to everyone)

October 30, 2007

Measuring a Doctor’s Quality Remains an Art

The Wall Street Journal

January 29, 2008