There can be many reasons why you might want to change your primary care physician.
For Medicare beneficiaries, especially, understanding when and how to make the switch is key to maintaining continuous, high-quality care. Below, we walk through:
- How to switch Medicare primary care doctors
- How often can you change your primary care physician
- And when it comes to other people like you, how often do patients change doctors
Why do people change primary care doctors?
Changing primary care doctors is more common than you might think. According to one survey, around 4 out of 10 patients switch care providers over time. The more frequent reasons include:
- Your health needs have changed
Aging changes your body in many, and often surprising, ways. There are new aches and pains, new chronic conditions, and existing health conditions may grow worse.
Because of this, you might need a doctor who is more knowledgeable and experienced in treating your new conditions, or is a specialist in your pre-existing chronic disease.
Many senior adults might also switch to a geriatrician. These are doctors who specialize in procedures, practices, and treatments that serve the very specific needs of older adults.
Read more: What is geriatric care and why is it important
- Your Medicare plan has changed
Shake-ups in healthcare plans, especially in Medicare Advantage (also known as Part C and provided by private insurance companies) are commonplace.
Care providers may decide not to renew contracts with insurance providers, which means they will no longer accept your insurance.
In such a case, you would have to choose between switching doctors, or switching your healthcare plan.
What you should know about Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period
- You’ve moved
Moving to a new area, say from Arizona to Texas, would make it necessary to find a more accessible doctor, within a reasonable distance from your new home.
- Your current doctor has retired
Sometimes it’s not a patient’s choice, but a necessity if your doctor is the one stepping away.
Doctors may change workplaces, move away, or retire. In this case, you must find a new provider, whether you are ready for the switch or not.
- It’s just not working out
If you have started seeing a new doctor recently, you’re probably still in the process of evaluating them. Are you happy with the way they communicate? Do you feel heard? Do you have confidence in the doctor’s ability to provide satisfactory care? Are you comfortable with the wait times at the clinic?
Ideally, you want a doctor you can keep seeing for as long as possible, because a long and satisfactory patient-provider relationship makes a strong foundation for good continuity of care.
Some patients can figure out if they click with their doctor or not during their very first appointment. Others might need a few more visits. Either way, both have the freedom to continue meeting new physicians until they are satisfied.
Worried about making the switch? Some common concerns
You may be apprehensive about changing your care provider, especially if you’ve been seeing them for a long time.
You may worry you will ‘upset’ your doctor, or that it’s rude, or that you’re doubting their capabilities. These feelings are common.
However, your own health and comfort are the priority here, and a good doctor should understand that.
If your current doctor gets upset that you don’t want to see them anymore, that’s a red flag, because responsible care professionals understand that patients’ needs evolve, and your decision to switch is about your well-being, not a personal affront to them.
Do I have to give reasons or explanations for switching doctors?
If you feel you must explain your decision to soothe your doctor’s hurt feelings, then no. There is no need to do that.
On the other hand, your current doctor may be able to help with suggestions and recommendations if they know why you’re switching. For instance, if your COPD is worsening, they may guide you toward another doctor who is more experienced in the treatment and care of the disease.
Learn more: What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Can my current care provider cause any problems if I move to another doctor?
Some senior patients worry that their current care provider may not transfer their health records to the new provider, but HIPAA gives you the right to transfer your medical records.
Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), you have the lawful right to access and transfer your medical records whenever you want, to whichever care provider you want.
Transferring medical records to a new physician is necessary to ensure continuity of care.
As a standard procedure, your records are usually transferred to your new doctor within 30 days of requesting them.
Brush up on Your rights as a patient
How often can you change your primary care physician?
You can switch doctors as often as you need to, or whenever you want to.
On Original Medicare: You can see any doctor who accepts assignment. There’s no need to notify anyone when switching.
On Medicare Advantage: You can only see doctors in your plan’s network. Before switching, check your plan’s provider directory or contact your insurer, or you may have to deal with high out-of-pocket costs.
You may also need to update your PCP selection with the plan.
What’s the downside of switching doctors too often?
Even though there’s no limit to how often you can switch doctors, it’s not advisable. Seeing the same doctor for long helps establish good continuity of care.
Frequent switches can make it harder for any doctor to get a full picture of your health history, whereas having one provider who really knows your medical history is one of the best ways to catch problems early and manage chronic illness better.
Step-by-step: How to change your Medicare primary care doctor
Changing doctors is a serious decision because establishing trust with a new care provider may take time. Here are the 10 steps, in sequence, to help you get started:
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Write out your reasons for why you want to switch
Remember, this is about your health, your well-being, and your satisfaction with care, so ALL your reasons are valid.
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List what you want from your new physician
Other than professional skills and experience, you might have certain personal, social, or cultural requirements. For instance, you may feel more comfortable with a doctor of a certain gender, of a certain age, or who speaks the same language as you.
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Review your Medicare plan
This is especially important for patients on a Medicare Advantage plan, and it also helps narrow down and refine your search.
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Shortlist potential primary care physicians
A generic search for ‘primary care provider near me’ could throw up hundreds of thousands of results. This may be confusing and/or unnerving to some. But if you search for doctors who accept your specific plan, you will get filtered results that make it easier to select a new provider.
Alternatively, start with your Medicare Advantage plan’s physician directory that lists names of all care professionals in the insurance provider’s network. You can find this directory on the insurance provider’s website, or call their helpline for assistance.
Also ask family and friends for referrals. This is an early stage, but if you feel comfortable and safe in doing so, you can ask your current doctor for referrals as well.
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Check the potential PCP’s credentials
Most clinicians’ websites list their degrees, areas of expertise, years of experience, and services provided.
Cross-check and compare your shortlisted candidates with Medicare’s Care Compare tool. Also, read all reviews other patients have posted about your chosen potential physicians.
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Schedule a meet-and-greet appointment
When you find a doctor you would like to meet, book an appointment either via their website or by calling their clinic.
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Prepare your questions
Before your visit, write down all the questions you would like to ask your future doctor. Some questions could be:
- Are you board-certified? If so, in which field?
- How much experience do you have with my specific condition?
- If I can’t come to the clinic and call with a care-related question, will you speak with me?
- Do you reply to emailed questions?
- Who will see me when you’re not in the clinic?
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Inform your current doctor (optional)
After you’ve found a new doctor you like, you can let your current care provider know that you will be transferring your care. This isn’t mandatory, but it is courteous and may allow for a smooth transition.
Schedule an appointment with your current physician. At the visit, thank them for having taken care of you, inform them you are leaving, and give them your new doctor’s details so they can transfer your health records.
If your current doctor asks why, you can tell them your reasons if you feel comfortable doing so. Or, tell them you would be happy to send written feedback on your experience with them. Many healthcare professionals would welcome such information, as it may help them improve their practice.
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Update your Medicare Advantage plan
Senior adults enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will have to update their care provider’s name. You can do this by logging into your insurance provider’s members portal and following the instructions, or call their helpline for assistance.
If you are enrolled in Original Medicare, you don’t have to update anything. You can just start seeing your new doctor.
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Give it time
Building a new patient-provider relationship takes patience.
Your new doctor doesn’t know you or your medical history very well right now, so you will likely have to repeat information that your previous doctor was very familiar with.
You may need to have lab tests redone, and also update your pharmacy, any specialists you see, your healthcare proxy, caregivers, family, and friends to keep everyone in the loop and ensure seamless care coordination and better patient outcomes.
What if you regret switching doctors?
It’s normal to second-guess a big change, but don’t panic. Like any relationship between two people, the success of a doctor-patient relationship is unpredictable. It may work out, it may not.
Even if you click instantly with a new care provider, it is possible to feel ‘homesick’ and miss the familiarity and comfort of being with someone you’ve known for a while.
Give it some time, though, and as you and your care provider get to know each other better, it may develop into a happy, long-lasting association. If not, you might have to just repeat the process.
This can be tiring and frustrating, but when you find a care provider who makes you feel respected, understood, and well-cared for, all the hard work will be worth it.
The power of patient choice
Changing your primary care doctor might feel intimidating, but it’s often a powerful step toward better health and peace of mind.
Especially if you’re dealing with chronic illnesses, mobility issues, or simply want more personalized care, it’s okay to say, “I need something different.”
Your health comes first, and you have every right to find a doctor you can trust.
Explore IntraCare’s doctors’ directory
IntraCare Health Centers provide a trusted, compassionate healthcare experience tailored to older aduts.
With a wide network of senior-focused physicians across Arizona and Texas, IntraCare makes it easy to:
- Find doctors who understand geriatric care
- Ensure your provider is in-network with your Medicare Advantage plan
- Access bilingual, culturally aligned care if desired
- Navigate the transition smoothly with help from our care coordinators
Visit IntraCare’s provider directory to explore your options and find an experienced, compassionate, patient-focused doctor who aligns with your health goals.