Primary care providers can help you take care of your health and even lower your medical costs. Below we’ll guide you through what primary care providers do, and why having one can help you and your overall health.
First things first, what is a primary care provider?
A primary care provider or primary care physician (PCP), is a medical doctor, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist or physician assistant who is allowed to practice medicine under state law. A PCP is a healthcare professional who helps you manage your health day-to-day for the long term. So when something comes up (and it’s not an emergency), they’re usually the first person you’ll talk to. They’ll get to know you, so that they can give you personalized care.
Why do I need a primary care provider?
Having a PCP means that you’ll have someone on your side who can connect all the dots for you, and keep track of your health history and baseline information. And you want that, because if you jump from specialist to specialist trying to find an answer, who’s going to put all the pieces together and take a look at the big picture? That’s where your PCP comes in.
What does a primary care provider actually do?
A lot. They’re your “let’s keep you healthy” partner and your go-to when you’re sick. They conduct your annual checkup, can help you with things like infections, or chronic conditions, and prescribe you medicine. Your PCP can also guide you to the right specialist if you need more advanced care.
Will my primary care provider really get to know me?
Your PCP is usually with you for a long time, and they get to know you and your history. They can make recommendations to support where you are and where you’re going (wherever that may be). And if something comes up, it’s much better to get help from someone you know instead of someone you’ve never met before. Your PCP will work to understand things like: