Finding the right Primary Care Physician (PCP) is important.  This is the first doctor you see for any medical problem.  Primary care physicians provide their patients with a broad spectrum of health care, both preventive and curative, and coordinate all of the care patients require including referral to specialist physicians. 

Most health insurance plans require that you have a primary care physician.   To locate a primary care physician on your health plan, go to the provider directory on your health plan’s website.    Whenever making an appointment, always verify your physician is a contracted provider with your health plan.

The time to establish your relationship with a Primary Care Physician is when you are healthy, instead of waiting until you are sick or injured and need medical care in a hurry. A good relationship with your primary care physician can help to ensure continuity of care and peace of mind for you and your family.

• Family Practitioner - qualified to care for all family members, including children.
• Pediatrician - specializes in child care.
• General Internist - specialist in internal medicine but often board certified in another subspecialty.
• Obstetrician/Gynecologist - specializes in women's health care; often used for primary care.

Primary care physicians include family practice and internal medicine.  Pediatricians are sometimes considered primary care physicians for children, adolescents and teenagers while obstetricians/gynecologists are sometimes considered primary care physicians for women.  Consult with your health insurance plan to determine whether it considers pediatricians and obstetricians/gynecologists to be primary care physicians.

• Manages care of individual patients.
• Diagnoses and treats minor, uncomplicated illnesses and injuries.
• Manages long term chronic illnesses.
• Prevents and detects health problems through regular screenings and wellness education.
• Determines when a patient needs to see a specialist and coordinates care with appropriate services

• Often acts as the primary gatekeeper in health plans, authorizing referrals to specialists.
• In most HMO's and some PPO's, members must choose or are assigned a PCP.  

• Knows you and your family and medical history, lifestyle, and habits.
• Treats you as a whole person.
• Coordinates your care and acts as an expert guide to the medical system.
• Helps you develop and carry out a personal health maintenance and improvement program.