A physician must hold a current state medical license in order to legally practice.
Board Certifications
To be board certified in a particular area means that a doctor has received additional training as a specialist. If you are looking for an obstetrician, for example, you will want one with a certification through the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
Accepted Types of Insurance
Never assume that a doctor accepts your medical insurance. Rather, you should call his/her office for a list of accepted plans.
Hospital Affiliations
Check which hospital(s) your doctor is affiliated with. You may have a preference for a particular local hospital, in which case you will want a doctor who has a relationship with that facility.
Years of Experience
Normally, you will want a doctor who has been practising for at least 3 years, preferably more. Even a doctor with a top-notch education and stellar reputation needs some time to hone his/ her skills in the real world.
