February 2007
Checking up on your doctor
Some health-insurance plans provide information for members on the educational and professional background and specialty certification
of participating physicians, so you should start there. Also consult these general Web sites:
Free
Administrators in Medicine (www.docfinder.org). Information on licensing and disciplinary actions taken against doctors in 18 states; links to state medical boards of remaining states.
American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org). Information on board certification in 24 specialties.
American Medical Association DoctorFinder (webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder). Education, board certification, and hospital admitting privileges for doctors who belong to the AMA.
Paid
Consumers Checkbook Guide to Top Doctors (www.checkbook.org). Searchable database ($24.95 for a two-year subscription) of the top-rated doctors in 30 fields based on a survey of about 260,000 physicians. You can also receive a print copy by mail for the same price.
Federation of State Medical Boards Physician Profiles (www.docinfo.org). Disciplinary sanctions, education, licensure history, and practice locations for U.S.-licensed physicians and some physicians' assistants. All information ($9.95 per doctor report) comes from the group's comprehensive, nationally consolidated data bank.
HealthGrades (www.healthgrades.com). Reports on doctors, at $17.95 apiece, including education and training, board certification, professional misconduct or disciplinary actions, and satisfaction scores from patients.
Free
Administrators in Medicine (www.docfinder.org). Information on licensing and disciplinary actions taken against doctors in 18 states; links to state medical boards of remaining states.
American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org). Information on board certification in 24 specialties.
American Medical Association DoctorFinder (webapps.ama-assn.org/doctorfinder). Education, board certification, and hospital admitting privileges for doctors who belong to the AMA.
Paid
Consumers Checkbook Guide to Top Doctors (www.checkbook.org). Searchable database ($24.95 for a two-year subscription) of the top-rated doctors in 30 fields based on a survey of about 260,000 physicians. You can also receive a print copy by mail for the same price.
Federation of State Medical Boards Physician Profiles (www.docinfo.org). Disciplinary sanctions, education, licensure history, and practice locations for U.S.-licensed physicians and some physicians' assistants. All information ($9.95 per doctor report) comes from the group's comprehensive, nationally consolidated data bank.
HealthGrades (www.healthgrades.com). Reports on doctors, at $17.95 apiece, including education and training, board certification, professional misconduct or disciplinary actions, and satisfaction scores from patients.
