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.
Types of PCP's
- 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.
What a PCP Does
- 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
PCP's Role in Managed Care Plans
- 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.
Advantages of 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.