How to Keep Your Doctor When Changing Plans

Verify the specific plan

Carrier brand is not enough. Ask the office which networks and plan names they accept for the coming year.

Get the answer in writing or note the date/time of the call.

If they are out-of-network

Estimate out-of-network costs on a PPO, or plan a transition to an in-network clinician. Continuity-of-care provisions may help for a limited time after a network change.

For Medicare, Advantage networks are local — Medigap + Original Medicare is more portable.

Frequently asked questions

Do referrals help me keep a specialist?

Referrals authorize visits; they do not make an out-of-network doctor in-network.

What about hospitals?

Confirm both the facility and the physician groups that practice there.