How to find Medicare doctors, hospitals, and clinics in your area
The fastest way to find a Medicare-accepting doctor or hospital near you is the Medicare Provider Search tool on Medicare.gov. You enter your zip code, the type of provider you need (primary care doctor, cardiologist, hospital, urgent care), and the tool shows you who accepts Medicare in your area, their addresses, phone numbers, and whether they are currently taking new patients.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), you also need to check whether the provider is in your specific plan's network — being on Medicare does not mean they are in your plan's network. Your plan's website or member handbook lists which doctors and hospitals you can see without paying extra out-of-pocket costs. Seeing an out-of-network provider usually costs you more.
For Original Medicare (Part A and B), any provider who accepts Medicare accepts you, so the search is simpler. For Medigap supplemental insurance, the provider just needs to accept Medicare — Medigap works with any Medicare-accepting provider nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- Medicare.gov's Provider Search tool shows you Medicare-accepting doctors, hospitals, and clinics by zip code and specialty.
- If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you must also check your plan's network to avoid paying extra costs for out-of-network care.
- Original Medicare works with any Medicare-accepting provider, but Medicare Advantage plans limit you to in-network providers except in emergencies.
- Your plan's member handbook or website shows your network; calling your plan's customer service is the fastest way to confirm a specific provider is in-network.
Using Medicare.gov's Provider Search
Go to Medicare.gov and select "Care Providers" or search for "Find Care Providers." You will see a search box asking for your zip code. Enter it, then choose what type of provider you are looking for — primary care physician, specialist (cardiologist, orthopedist, etc.), hospital, skilled nursing facility, or urgent care center.
The results show the provider's name, address, phone number, and whether they are accepting new Medicare patients. Some results also show whether the provider offers telehealth visits. You can call the provider directly to confirm they accept your specific Medicare plan and to schedule an appointment.
This tool works for Original Medicare and for finding hospitals and specialists. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, use this tool first to find providers, then check your plan's website or call your plan to confirm they are in your network.
Checking your Medicare Advantage plan's network
Medicare Advantage plans are sold by private insurance companies (Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and others), and each plan has its own list of doctors and hospitals you can see without extra charges. This list is called the network. Seeing a provider outside the network usually costs you more — sometimes much more.
To check your plan's network, log into your plan's website using your member ID (on your insurance card). Most plans have a "Find a Doctor" tool similar to Medicare.gov's, but it shows only in-network providers. You can also call the customer service number on your insurance card and ask whether a specific doctor or hospital is in your network.
If you are switching plans during open enrollment or just joined a plan, your member handbook (mailed to you or available on your plan's website) lists which hospitals and major specialists are in the network. Read it before you schedule appointments with new providers.
Finding specialists and urgent care near you
If you need a specialist (cardiologist, dermatologist, orthopedist), start by asking your primary care doctor for a referral. Your doctor knows which specialists are in your network and often has working relationships with them. If you do not have a primary care doctor yet, use Medicare.gov's Provider Search to find one in your area first.
For urgent care or walk-in clinics, Medicare.gov's search tool includes urgent care centers. You can also search "urgent care near me" in Google Maps and then call to confirm they accept Medicare. Urgent care centers usually accept Medicare, but confirm your plan's coverage before you go — some Medicare Advantage plans require you to use specific urgent care locations.
For emergencies, go to the nearest emergency room. Medicare covers emergency care at any hospital, regardless of network status. After the emergency, ask the hospital's billing department whether they accept Medicare so you understand what you owe.
What to do if no providers near you accept Medicare
In rural areas or small towns, you may find few or no Medicare-accepting providers nearby. If this happens, call your local hospital and ask which doctors in the area accept Medicare — the hospital's referral line often knows. You can also call your state's Medicare hotline (the number is on your Medicare card) and ask for help finding providers in your area.
If truly no providers near you accept Medicare, you may be able to see a non-Medicare provider and file a claim yourself, though you will pay out of pocket first. Some rural areas have telehealth options through Medicare — ask your doctor whether they offer video visits.
If you have a Medicare Advantage plan and cannot find in-network providers nearby, contact your plan's customer service. Some plans have out-of-area networks or will cover out-of-network care in rural areas. This varies by plan, so ask directly.
Using telehealth to see doctors outside your area
Medicare covers telehealth visits (video or phone calls with doctors) through Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans. This means you can see a doctor who is not physically near you. Medicare.gov's Provider Search shows which providers offer telehealth.
To use telehealth, you need a device with a camera and microphone (computer, tablet, or smartphone) and internet access. The doctor's office will send you a link or instructions for joining the video call. Telehealth visits are billed the same way as in-person visits — you pay your copay or coinsurance, and Medicare or your plan covers the rest.
Telehealth is useful if you live far from specialists, have transportation problems, or want to avoid travel. Ask your doctor's office whether they offer it when you call to schedule.
Confirming a provider accepts your specific Medicare plan
Just because a provider accepts Medicare does not mean they accept your specific plan. Before you schedule an appointment, call the provider's office and give them your member ID (on your insurance card). Ask: "Do you accept my plan?" If they say yes, ask them to note it in your file.
For Original Medicare, this step is simpler — any Medicare-accepting provider accepts you. For Medicare Advantage, always confirm. For Medigap, the provider just needs to accept Medicare, and Medigap works with any of them.
If a provider says they do not accept your plan, ask whether they accept Medicare at all. Some providers accept Original Medicare but not certain Medicare Advantage plans. If they do not accept Medicare, you will pay the full bill yourself unless you have other insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I see any doctor I want if I have Original Medicare?
Yes, any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare will see you. You do not need to choose a primary care doctor or get referrals. However, if you see a specialist without a referral, some may charge you more, so asking your regular doctor for a referral is still a good idea.
What happens if I see a doctor outside my Medicare Advantage plan's network?
You will usually pay more out of pocket — sometimes the full bill. Some plans cover out-of-network care in emergencies or if no in-network provider is available. Check your plan's member handbook or call customer service before seeing an out-of-network provider.
How do I know if a provider is accepting new Medicare patients?
Medicare.gov's Provider Search shows whether a provider is accepting new patients. You can also call the provider's office directly and ask. Some popular doctors stop accepting new patients, so calling ahead saves you a wasted trip.
Can I use telehealth with any Medicare doctor?
Not all doctors offer telehealth, but many do. Medicare.gov's Provider Search shows which providers offer video or phone visits. Ask your doctor's office when you call to schedule whether they offer telehealth appointments.
What if I cannot find a Medicare provider in my area?
Call your local hospital's referral line or your state's Medicare hotline (number on your Medicare card). In rural areas, telehealth may be your best option. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, ask whether they cover out-of-network care in areas with few providers.