From treating a common cold to repairing a fractured bone or even caring during pregnancy, people tend to rely more on family doctors for various health issues. Such doctors are well-acquainted with family histories, making it easier to identify risks of getting diseases such as diabetes or heart ailments. Over time, various specializations have evolved, and the work of primary healthcare physicians has been shared among general practitioners, internal medicine doctors, and family medicine doctors.

What does a primary healthcare physician do?
Health insurance plans demand members choose a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP is the first point of contact for all health problems. Even when you require a specialist, the primary care provider recommends you to one, generally within your plan’s provider network.

Why do we need a primary healthcare physician?
A PCP is an integral part of managing a person’s daily health. As generalists , they care for many problems and serve as a home base for all our healthcare needs. One can consult them for common healthcare problems such as headaches, flu, or infections. They also help with routine health exams and screenings. For many people, PCPs also help manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or certain mental health issues.

Due to patients’ continued interaction with them, they tend to have a good perspective regarding their medical history and help ensure no harmful interactions between treatments. One of the most important jobs of a PCP is preventive care, meaning helping patients reduce the risk of getting sick. It involves routine checkups and health exams, so they can guide a patient towards healthy lifestyle habits and diagnose severe conditions early. Consulting a PCP every year can significantly reduce the need for expensive specialist care in the future.

How to find the best primary healthcare physician?
In case your current PCP is retiring, or if you are relocating to a new area, you might have to look for new options. It can also be because you are not satisfied with the level of care you are currently getting. But whatever the reason, there are a few essential things to consider when finding a new primary care provider. It’s important to remember that since different patients want different things in a medical provider, it largely depends on your condition and healthcare requirements.

Choose an in-network provider
Many health insurance plans have a list of doctors who are considered ‘in-network.’ It means they have entered into a contract with the provider, and care will be covered. Out-of-network healthcare providers may need to be paid out-of-pocket; therefore, it’s best to double-check with your insurance and healthcare providers before proceeding.

Do your research
Chances are there that the doctor you choose may be attending to other patients in your community. Speak to others about their experiences with the PCP, or check out online reviews before finalizing a doctor.

Make sure they are the right fit
Some primary care providers may have areas of interest or expertise that may not suit your healthcare requirements. Alternatively, you may need a PCP who is close to you or offers telehealth services. Always check for these details before finalizing your provider.

Qualifications of primary healthcare providers
Despite the many specialties in the field of medicine, only the following doctors qualify as PCPs-

Family practice doctors or general practitioners
They are qualified to care for the entire family, are board-certified, and may be trained in various specialties, including Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, or Psychiatry.

Internal medicine doctors
Also referred to as internists, such doctors specialize in diagnosis and treatment. Unlike family doctors, they only attend to adult patients. They are not surgeons, though they may have sub-specialties that can be classified by organs (such as lungs, heart, and kidneys), diseases (such as diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.), or age groups (such as the elderly).

Pediatricians
Pediatricians cater to the healthcare needs of children. Most of them treat children from birth until adolescence, and some may have sub-specialties such as surgery or pediatric cardiology. However, it is pertinent to note that health plans may have limitations on pediatric care, with age limits varying from 18 to 21 years old.

Where does one look for a primary care physician?
Choosing the right doctor can be tricky. If your health insurance plan mandates choosing one, take your time and consider all options. Here are a few options to consider.

Health insurance plan
Your health insurance plan may already have an online list of network PCPs open to new patients. Choosing a primary care provider is often the first step for seeking treatment under any Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan since they handle referrals to any specialists required.

Personal referrals
Patients often ask their friends, family members, or colleagues for referrals to primary care physicians. Knowing about a trusted one’s positive experience with a doctor will likely make you prefer or trust them more.

Referrals from your current physician
If you are relocating to a new place, you can ask your current PCP to refer you to a doctor in the new area, assuming you are continuing under the same health insurance plan.

Hospital access
Hospitals also offer a referral service that can provide the names of staff doctors who may meet your needs or criteria, such as specialty, professional experience, and location.

Once you have chosen a primary healthcare provider,  always check the network provider list before switching plans in the future. Since each plan has different provider networks, if you would like to retain your PCP, it is important to check with the insurance plan you are considering. Using network doctors is necessary because your plan may not cover your visits, leading to higher medical costs.