Why Choose a Primary Care Provider?
Whether you’ve just switched insurance, moved to a new city, or just recently (or not so recently) gotten off your parent’s health plan, choosing a primary care provider can seem like a daunting task. A primary care provider (or PCP) is a nurse practitioner or physician who serves as your general doctor, gives you your yearly exam, and can refer you to specialists as needed. And making this choice is important, not just for insurance reasons, but because having a dedicated doctor that knows your family and medical history, along with current lifestyle and needs can make all the difference. A PCP is someone that you and your family can build a relationship with — someone who understands the more complex landscape of your health, outside of the present symptoms. So much of diagnosis is talking with your doctor about the risks and benefits of a particular treatment or medication, so it’s important that you’re able to build a candid and trusting relationship with your PCP, in order to make the best decisions possible for your health.
All around health starts with preventative care, meaning that just because you feel fine, doesn’t mean you don’t have to see a doctor. In fact, research has found that adults who regularly visit a PCP for wellness visits or yearly exams have lower overall health costs and better management of chronic illness and disease.
It’s also important to have an advocate to help you navigate any other medical attention you might need. Many specialists require a referral, and it’s not just to cause more paperwork. Rather, they want to make sure that you are receiving the best care possible, so having a relationship with your PCP can also increase the quality of care you receive elsewhere by ensuring that you see the right doctors at the right time.
There are a few different types of providers that can serve as a PCP for you or your family:
An Internist specializes in adult internal medicine, focusing on the prevention and treatment of chronic illness and diseases that occur in adult patients.
A family practitioner is usually equipped to manage general physical health, along with psychological and developmental health of the whole family.
A pediatrician specializes in children under the age of 18.
Women can also see a PCP who focuses on women’s health, or is a certified OB / GYN, specializing in family planning and preventative care.
So take your health into your own hands by chatting with the Pager care team. Pager can help recommend PCP that’s right for you. Because taking control of your health today will ensure a happier, healthier you for years to come.
Written by Olivia Murphy
