Which medical review provider is the best one for your family?

Take a look at the following questions as you look at the list of providers here. We trust you will know which provider is best for you.

1. Do you want the reviewer to be local? Most providers do not require their families to be local because most everything can be done via email or phone. However, selecting a local provider has its benefits. You will be able to visit them after your child is in your home and have more personalized follow-up because of the history.

2. Some providers have more experience with specific adoption programs than others. Research the physicians and ask if they have specific experience with the type of adoption you are pursuing. This is particularly critical if you are adopting domestically since not all programs offer services for families adopting domestically.

3. Some providers offer more adoption preparation for families than others. Do you want a provider who will help you understand different possible special needs and what may be required to parent a child with certain diagnoses? Do you want a provider that offers families additional training or connecting opportunities? Ask the providers you are considering what more they offer besides a medical review.

4. What is the provider’s typical response time to provide a referral review? Some adoption programs require a fast decision and having an assessment performed quickly might be critical. Note that some providers have a tiered pricing structure based on how fast of a turnaround time is required.

5. How does the provider perform the review? Is it a phone call only? Do they provide you with a written report? Do they suggest what to ask for with regards to updates/further testing? Will they review those updates and test results? Make sure you are comparing apples to apples. Less costly review services likely will not provide you with the same breadth of information and documentation.

6. Your provider should offer in-country support or support while traveling if travel is required. The ability to be able to Skype or call a doctor when you are facing medical concerns in a foreign country or even different state provides great piece of mind. Make sure your provider offers this and provides clear instructions on how to reach them when you’re on the other side of the globe or country.

7. What post adoption support if any do they provide? For a provider local to you, ask if they offer seminars, training events, parent support groups, play groups, etc. If you are considering a provider not local to you, ask if they provide webinars, private online groups, or any other support via email or phone.

8. Don’t be shy. Ask questions of both an initial contact as well as the person who will be serving you directly. You can find out a lot about them and how they work with people with an initial phone call which will help you determine who will be a good fit with your family.