When searching for a doctor, dentist or other healthcare professional:

• Find out whether they are licensed in your state. A state or local occupational and professional licensing board will be able to give you this information.


• Research whether they are board-certified in the appropriate specialty. You can find this information on the sites of the AMA (www.ama-assn.org) and American Board of Medical Specialties (www.abms.org).


• Ask how often they have done the procedure you need and their success rate. You may be able to find some of this information on the Internet. For example, the Center for Disease Control reports the success rates and number of procedures performed by fertility clinics at www.cdc.gov. Some states collect and post data on the success of heart-bypass surgery.


• Check whether there have been any complaints or disciplinary actions taken. Websites that can help are www.docboard.org and www.healthcarechoices.org. There are also pay-for-use sites with similar information including QuestionableDoctors.org, www.Docinfo.org, and www.checkbook.org.

Visit www.healthfinder.gov for more advice on identifying providers.