Should I get my Medicare services from a Doctor of Internal Medicine
A Doctor of Internal Medicine specializes in diagnosing health issues of people 55 and over.
Stated another way “Doctors who practice internal medicine specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease in adult patients. Like other primary care physicians, internal medicine physicians are the first doctors their patients see when they are sick or injured. They can also refer their patients to other specialists when necessary.”
They are required to take additional education on this topic.
Some Doctors further specialize in geriatric medicine.
If you are 65 or older, we recommend you consider selecting a Doctor of Internal Medicine. If you are a resident of Ada/Canyon County, you can find physicians with the geriatric specialization by clicking here. Internists in Ada/Canyon County can be found by clicking here. If you are a resident of another Idaho County, just adjust the search zip code and re-run the scan.
We feel the answer to this question: Should I get my Medicare services from a Doctor of Internal Medicine is ‘yes’.
It is not unusual for Medicare beneficiaries new to Idaho ask us for a doctor recommendation. We ask if their current doctor specialized in internal medicine…and most often the answer is ‘no’. Once we share with people that internists had special study and training on the prevention and treatment of adult diseases, they get interested.
A key item to remember about internists is they are often the doctor for doctors. Why? Because they are called on to act as consultants to other physicians and help solve challenging health issues. Have you seen the TV show ‘House’? He was a doctor of internal medicine. However, the internists we are familiar with are much easier to work with.
Can a Doctor of Internal Medicine be my primary care physician?
Yes. Internists can serve as your primary care doctor; they are different from the family or general practitioner because of their ‘adult focus’. Internists do not do surgery nor treat children (they do not deliver babies either). With in-depth training in adult medicine, we feel internists are a great choice to help Idaho Medicare beneficiaries navigate the complex world of medical care. They can treat you for flu, in-depth care for diseases such as diabetes, depression, cancer, or heart disease. They also coordinate care with subspecialists. We use internists for our personal care and appreciate the relationship that comes with a medical professional that is equipped to deal with whatever problem we may have…no matter how simple or complex.
Do I have to pay more to see a Doctor of Internal Medicine?
We have found many Medicare Advantage plans consider an ‘internist’ as a ‘primary care physician’ (in lieu of a specialist…which typically has higher copays for office visits). People with Original Medicare (with or without a Medigap policy) can choose to see an internist without getting permission from anyone (just be sure they accept Medicare when you make the appointment). Remember, if you have Original Medicare without a Medigap plan, your office visits are covered under Part B (copays are typically 20% of the Medicare-approved amount). If you have a Medigap plan, review your plan’s details to see how much of the doctor visit fee is covered.
How do I find the Doctor of Internal Medicine that is right for me?
Start by doing some basic research. Asking a friend for a recommendation might be step 1. If you or a friend knows someone in the medical profession (nurse for example), ask them what doctors of internal medicine should be on your shortlist. Don’t be afraid to interview the doctor during your 1st or 2nd office visit and don’t be afraid to visit with more than one internist before making up your mind. The internet can be a useful tool. We suggest you use the doctor finder which is located here. Once you have your list of Internists in your immediate area, narrow it down by learning how patients of these doctors ‘rated’ them. This tool is available here.
Further insight on why a doctor will choose ‘Internal Medicine’ as their focus is available here.
How do I learn more about my Idaho Medicare insurance options?
This website is an excellent resource. Below are topical areas that may interest you. They are:
Learn how we help Idaho Medicare beneficiaries
Get help deciding on the Medigap versus Medicare Advantage decision
Learn more about Medicare Advantage plans in Idaho
Learn about Medigap Policies and Carrier differences
Learn about Medicaid, Low-income-subsidy, and Special Needs Plans
Learn about Prescription Drug Plans
Read this if you are Moving to Idaho and need help with Medicare insurance
Learn about common mistakes people make selecting supplemental insurance
Get the answer to the common question of How much does Medicare cost?
Learn about Medigap Plan G
Get the answer to why I should use an Independent Agent specializing in Medicare Insurance
Call us on 208-867-0296 if you are a Medicare-eligible Idaho resident. We are here to help.
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