rewrite this title The ultimate guide to selecting a primary care provider

Lifelong wellness depends on effective health management. A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a key element in keeping you healthy. Think of a PCP as a personal coach who knows your individual health needs, keeps you up to date with exams and screenings, and coordinates with specialists if you need additional care.  

“Having a Primary Care Provider is important to managing your overall health and practicing disease prevention,” says Samantha Gove, FNP-C, a certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group. “Primary Care Providers can also help by providing referrals to dedicated specialty practices if needed.” 

So, how do you get started? Here’s a how-to guide on managing your health, including selecting a PCP, what to expect from a meeting with your new doctor, the importance of preventive care, and why knowing where to go during a medical event can save your life.

Your health, your choice: The ultimate guide to selecting a Primary Care Provider

Lifelong wellness depends on effective health management. A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a key element in keeping you healthy. Think of a PCP as a personal coach who knows your individual health needs, keeps you up to date with exams and screenings, and coordinates with specialists if you need additional care.  

“Having a Primary Care Provider is important to managing your overall health and practicing disease prevention,” says Samantha Gove, FNP-C, a certified Family Nurse Practitioner at Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group. “Primary Care Providers can also help by providing referrals to dedicated specialty practices if needed.” 

So, how do you get started? With Open Enrollment fast approaching, here’s a how-to guide on managing your health, including selecting a PCP, what to expect from a meeting with your new doctor, the importance of preventive care, and why knowing where to go during a medical event can save your life.

Choosing a Primary Care Physician

Choosing a PCP is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Research shows that access to primary care is associated with positive health outcomes. Primary Care Providers offer routine and preventive care, early detection and treatment of disease, and chronic disease management. Follow these three steps to select a doctor that’s right for you. 

Step One: Call your health plan or visit their website to find out what medical groups, doctors and hospitals accept your insurance. 

Most insurance companies have a variety of provider networks that pair with different plans. This gives their members more choices so they can find the best fit. 

Step Two: Research your options. 

Get recommendations from friends and family. Reading physician profiles and online reviews can also provide valuable insights to help you decide.

Step Three: Consider your life stage. Are you generally healthy or do you have chronic conditions?  

Recognizing the extent and nature of your medical needs will inform the type and level of care you need.  

What to expect from a first visit with your doctor  

Congratulations! You found a Primary Care Provider! But to recap the benefits, you need to schedule your first appointment to establish the relationship.  

“Going to the doctor’s can be scary for all kinds of reasons—fear of bad news, impact from prior bad experiences, or maybe it feels inconvenient,” explains Samantha Gove, NP. “To these people, I usually pose another question: If you had the opportunity or knowledge to prevent an illness or treat a health problem to improve your outcome, would you? If the answer is yes to any of these, then take the time to be the steward of your own health.” 

Arriving prepared for your first visit can help to maximize these benefits. Plus, this preparation is a major component of managing your own health.  

“To develop a good relationship with your Primary Care Provider, come prepared when possible,” Gove says. “We will always do our best to help out, but coming with records and knowledge about prior care and treatments will help your provider determine what is the best course of action.” 

Five tips for your visit with a new PCP:

Know about your medical history, like the date of your last physical, immunization records, allergies and past surgeries.
Learn about your family’s health history so you and your doctor can discuss your risk for certain conditions based on your family history.
Bring a list of medications you are taking or bring the bottle or box they come in from the pharmacy.
Make a list of questions or concerns to discuss with your new doctor.
Share any health goals you have so your PCP can provide resources and advice. “As we all know, time with our providers can be limited,” Gove advises. “If you have more pressing concerns, please consider scheduling an additional appointment for a problem-focused visit.” 

Preventive Care: What it is and why it’s important

Preventive care is a proactive approach to health that focuses on regular check-ups, screenings, and lifestyle choices designed to detect and prevent potential health issues before they become serious problems. Preventing illness is far more effective, less time-consuming, and usually far less uncomfortable than waiting to get sick before seeking treatment. Here are some other things you can do to stay on top of you and your family’s health:

Schedule your annual physical exam and take care of any necessary immunizations.
Discuss age-specific screenings with your doctor, like colonoscopies and mammograms, as you approach milestone birthdays.
Kids need regular well-child visits to track their development and find health problems early when they’re usually easier to treat. Also, keep a record of their vaccinations, and don’t forget to keep your own vaccination records, too.
And don’t forget, your mental health is just as important as your physical health. Taking a moment to speak with your doctor about your emotional well-being can help to identify common ailments like depression or anxiety. Focusing on your mental health can lead to increased productivity and improved relationships and can help control some physical health problems often linked to mental health conditions.

The adage “Health coverage isn’t only important when you’re sick, but when you don’t feel sick” is true. Managing your health by choosing a health plan and a Primary Care Provider that meets your needs are important steps toward optimal health. Visit dignityhealth.org/openenrollment to find a PCP near you. 

You have the information you need to choose a Primary Care Provider, but have you selected your health plan for next year yet? Check out our story Dignity Health Guide to Open Enrollment: Tips to Make Sure You Get the Coverage You Need to dive in.