How do you find a huisarts that is accepting new patients?

I have to admit something a bit embarrassing: I have lived here almost two years and I still don't have a huisarts. I was healthy, I kept postponing it, and last week I had a bad ear infection and realized I had nowhere to call.

So now I am doing it properly, and... it is harder than I expected? The two practices closest to me both say they are not taking new patients. Questions for people who went through this:

• Did you just keep calling practices one by one, or is there a smarter way? I read somewhere that your zorgverzekeraar is supposed to help you find a practice if everything nearby is full — did anyone actually try that?
• What do they ask for when you register? BSN and insurance card, or more?
• Am I right that the huisarts visit itself does not count toward the eigen risico? On rijksoverheid.nl it says GP visits are free from the deductible (€385 this year), but things like blood tests the huisarts orders can still count. I just want to be sure I don't get a surprise bill.

And please tell me I am not the only one who waited this long.