The Importance of a Primary Care Provider
May 23, 2023 | Tags:
We’re used to getting the things we need on our terms. Whether it’s banking online or having groceries delivered right to our door, we’re in a culture of convenience. This might make a retail clinic, urgent care or the emergency room tempting as your go-to place for your medical needs, even if it’s not an emergency. While the convenience of dropping in without an appointment is helpful, that visit may cost you.
A trip to the emergency room (ER) for a condition that is easily addressed in a primary care center can quickly become expensive. It also might not be the best place for you to receive consistent, high-quality care. In these scenarios, having a primary care provider (PCP) is beneficial. Think about it: Your PCP is the healthcare professional who knows you best. They’re familiar with your family, medical and social histories. Your provider knowing your past, pastimes and occupation can also help them diagnose conditions that may have subtle or unusual early signs and symptoms.
Building a relationship
In addition to knowing your health background, a PCP can be a positive influence in the longer term. Lifestyle changes such as improving nutrition, quitting smoking or becoming sober take time and consistent support. A retail clinic, like a MinuteClinic™, or urgent care isn’t equipped to help you map out a healthy lifestyle. However, a PCP can help you to create one and work with you on preventive care. It may even result in you living a longer life.
The comfort of knowing a provider well also can drive open discussion. For example, unpleasant side effects often cause people to stop taking prescriptions, sometimes without letting the prescriber know. When you’re comfortable with your PCP, you can have an honest conversation about it.
Nurses at your PCP’s office can be another good resource. Remember that they’re part of your PCP’s team. They can be a trusted ally who helps navigate tough situations and be a familiar voice advocating for your needs. When you foster a relationship with members of your PCP’s team, you’re also connecting to their network of colleagues.
Your doctor knows you well and can identify specialists who meet your needs medically and suit your personality. Some patients seek providers who meet their needs quickly. Others prioritize a provider who will spend extra time listening to their concerns. Plus, when your specialists and PCP are in communication, your PCP can review all your treatments and identify any potential prescription conflicts.
Prioritize finding a PCP
With all the benefits a PCP provides, why wouldn’t you have one? There could be several reasons. One may be that some are just be getting used to having health insurance. Preventive care and maintenance visits are often ignored if you’re not covered by health insurance. This means people only interact with the healthcare system when they become ill, have an injury or a medical emergency.
Making sure you choose the right PCP can be nerve-wracking, too. The process of choosing a PCP takes time:
- Looking through online data
- Researching and reading through reviews
- Checking locations and network availability
Providers are also experiencing high turnover as older generations begin to retire. The desire to find the right provider may keep individuals from finding any provider at all.
Medical Mutual is here to help
So how can you simplify the search? Medical Mutual offers tools to help you get started. Members can access our Find a Provider tool by logging in to My Health Plan and selecting it from the Resources & Tools tab. The Find a Provider tool can help you narrow down in-network doctors using a variety of filters curated to your specific needs, location and more. As you look at your options, there are some things to keep in mind:
- Will you be able to see the same provider on most visits?
- Where is the provider in their career – will he or she be able to care for you for a while?
- What are the hours and availability of the staff? Do they have time allotted for urgent visits each day?
- Are you able to contact the provider via phone call or text in an emergency?
- Does this provider offer telehealth options?
Keep the capabilities of the practice in mind as well:
- Is blood drawn in the office?
- What other procedures or testing can be done in the office?
Once you’ve found a provider who fits your needs, get comfortable and start building a relationship. Having a skilled PCP in your corner can help with costs and help you lead a healthier life in the long run.