I've had to learn this the hard way as I've gotten ill. Finding a PCP is different from finding a specialist. For a PCP I'm looking for someone I can have a re

I've had to learn this the hard way as I've gotten ill. Finding a PCP is different from finding a specialist. For a PCP I'm looking for someone I can have a relationship with, reasonable access/availability, and the ability to make appropriate referrals and coordinate specialists. If you have a lot of complex problems, this is pretty much impossible to find inside insurance. I have found some good, caring doctors in insurance but I either can't get timely access or they can only give you so much time so I have to go to a direct pay or concierge provider. Some doctors will meet with you for 10-15 minutes for free or sometimes a nominal fee if you explain you're not looking for an exam, just interviewing PCPs. Your PCP is the one who will end up doing most of the referrals. As for the specialists, medicine has become so super specialized. Let's say you get diagnosed with some rare cancer. If you start searching the medical journals and read, you will find the same names over and over again. You can call or e-mail the doctor, explain your situation and see if they'll do phone consults or talk to your PCP.