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Tell me what is going on and I will work out which kind of doctor usually handles it, then show you who is nearby.

For recurring migraines, primary care is often the first stop. A neurologist may help when symptoms persist.

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Review nearby providersCompare supported public facts without manufactured ratings.
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DrFinder.ai helps you find healthcare providers using public data from the CMS National Provider Registry. Provider information may not reflect real-time availability.

Always verify insurance acceptance directly with the provider. This is not medical advice.

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Hi! I am Dr. AI. Tell me your symptoms or what you are looking for, and I will help you find the right type of doctor or facility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the ABMS (American Board of Medical Specialties) verification tool at certificationmatters.org, or check your state medical board's website. You can also search the NPPES NPI Registry at npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov for credentials and practice details.
Both are fully licensed physicians who complete medical school and residency. MDs attend allopathic medical schools, DOs attend osteopathic schools which include additional training in musculoskeletal manipulation. Both can prescribe medications, perform surgery, and specialize in any field.
Wait times vary by specialty: primary care averages 26 days, dermatology 35 days, cardiology 17 days, and psychiatry 25-50 days (per Merritt Hawkins data). Urban areas may have shorter waits but more competition for top-rated providers.
It depends on your insurance. HMO plans generally require a referral from your primary care doctor. PPO and EPO plans typically allow self-referral to specialists. Check your plan documents or call your insurance company's member services number to confirm.
Start with your insurance company's online provider directory, but verify directly with the doctor's office since directories are often outdated. Call the office and give them your insurance ID number and group number for the most accurate verification.
Consider board certification, hospital affiliations, office location and hours, communication style, patient reviews, appointment availability, and whether they accept your insurance. Many practices offer meet-and-greet visits so you can assess fit before committing.
An NPI (National Provider Identifier) is a unique 10-digit number assigned to every healthcare provider. It's used for billing and identification across insurance systems. You can look up any provider's NPI to verify their credentials, specialty, and practice information through the NPPES registry.
Options include federally qualified health centers (FQHC) that offer sliding-scale fees based on income, community health clinics, direct primary care practices with flat monthly fees, medical school teaching clinics, and free clinics. Call 211 or visit findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov for local resources.
In-network providers have negotiated rates with your insurance company, meaning lower out-of-pocket costs for you. Out-of-network providers have no such agreement, so you may pay significantly more or the full cost. Some plans (like HMOs) do not cover out-of-network care at all except in emergencies.
Contact your previous doctor's office and request a records release form (or submit a written request under HIPAA). Most offices can send records electronically, by fax, or by mail. Allow 2-4 weeks. Some offices charge a copying fee. Your new doctor's office can often initiate the transfer for you.
Ask about their approach to preventive care, how they handle after-hours emergencies, typical wait times for appointments, their referral process for specialists, how they communicate test results, whether they use a patient portal, and how they coordinate care with other providers.
A patient portal is a secure online platform where you can view test results, request prescription refills, send messages to your doctor, schedule appointments, and access your medical records. Most practices use portals through systems like MyChart (Epic), FollowMyHealth, or Healow. Ask your doctor's office for login credentials.
Check your state medical board's website for disciplinary actions, license status, and any board orders. The NPDB (National Practitioner Data Bank) tracks malpractice payments but is not publicly searchable. Some states like California, Massachusetts, and New York have public physician profile sites with additional detail.
Telehealth allows you to see a doctor via video call or phone. It's appropriate for follow-up visits, medication management, minor illness evaluation, mental health counseling, and reviewing test results. It's not suitable for emergencies, conditions requiring physical examination, or procedures. Most insurance plans now cover telehealth visits.
Start with academic medical centers and teaching hospitals, which often have specialists in rare diseases. The NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (rarediseases.info.nih.gov) maintains referral lists. Patient advocacy organizations for specific conditions often maintain provider directories of experienced specialists.
Fellowship training is additional specialized education after residency, typically 1-3 years. For example, a surgeon who completed an orthopedic residency might do a fellowship in sports medicine. Fellowship-trained doctors have deeper expertise in their subspecialty and have passed additional rigorous training requirements.
Most insurance plans cover second opinions, and some require them before certain surgeries. Ask your doctor to refer you, or contact your insurance company for in-network specialists. Bring copies of your test results, imaging, and medical records. A good doctor will not be offended by a second opinion request.
Concierge (or direct primary care) practices charge a monthly or annual membership fee in exchange for enhanced access: same-day appointments, longer visits, 24/7 doctor availability, and preventive care coordination. Fees range from $50-$200 per month. You still need insurance for specialists, labs, and hospital care.
Online reviews reflect patient experience (wait times, communication, office staff) more than clinical competence. A doctor with fewer stars may be an excellent clinician with a busy practice. Use reviews for communication style and office logistics, but verify clinical quality through board certification, hospital affiliations, and peer recommendations.
Urgent care handles non-life-threatening issues: sprains, minor cuts, flu, UTIs, ear infections. The ER handles emergencies: chest pain, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding, stroke symptoms, head injuries. Urgent care costs significantly less ($100-$250 vs $1,000-$3,000+) and has shorter wait times. When in doubt, call 911.