Reasons to have a primary care provider
A PCP can help you stay healthier. If you’ve put off picking one, here are the reasons to find yours now.
With so many options for care — urgent care centers, telehealth, walk-in clinics — having a primary care provider (PCP) may seem old-school. The truth is, having a PCP has been shown to keep you healthier as you age. That’s true even if you’re young and feel well, says Scott Kaiser, MD. He's a family physician in Santa Monica, California.
Think of a PCP as the leader of your health care team. They are your first stop when you feel sick or have a symptom you’re worried about. They treat a wide range of health problems. And they direct your overall care.
Don’t have a PCP yet? Here are 5 reasons to find yours now.
1. You’re more likely to stay up-to-date on your medical care
One study found that people with a PCP are more likely to:
- Fill their prescriptions
- Have a yearly checkup
- Get screened for common health issues such as cancer
There are a few reasons for this. PCPs often follow up with patients or send reminders. This can lead to more prescriptions filled. And PCPs are more likely to suggest yearly health screenings than specialists. (Specialists often don’t handle issues outside their area of focus.)
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2. A PCP can help you manage chronic health conditions
Do you have a long-term health issue, like heart disease or diabetes? If so, you know it can be hard to handle on your own. That’s where a PCP comes in.
Your PCP can help you find a specialist who knows more about your condition. Say you have a heart condition. You might need to see a cardiologist, or heart specialist. Because your PCP knows your medical history so well, they can help you find the heart doctor who best meets your needs.
“Your primary care provider is like the quarterback,” says Dr. Kaiser. They talk to all of your doctors and come up with a game plan.
3. A PCP can keep track of your medicines
About 70% of American adults take at least one prescription drug a day, according to a recent poll. Nearly 1 in 4 take four or more a day. And there’s always a chance of side effects, especially when drugs interact with one another.
But if you have a PCP, they can work with your pharmacist to keep track of all your medications. They keep an eye on you for any side effects. And your PCP can talk to your specialists, if needed, about:
- Tweaking doses
- Switching brands
- Stopping a drug entirely
4. You’ll save money
That might not make sense at first. It seems like seeing your provider more often means spending more on doctor’s visits, right? But in fact, regular checkups with your PCP can help you manage health conditions that might otherwise spiral.
That can stop you from needing more pricey tests and visits. It can even prevent a hospital stay. And it makes it less likely that you’ll end up at an urgent care clinic or ER for common ailments such as a sore throat or cough, which could cost you much more.
5. You’ll catch health issues earlier
Your PCP can provide one-stop preventive care. Through regular screenings, they can help you catch illnesses early, when they’re often easier to treat. Screenings can also help you steer clear of health issues down the road.
A good PCP also asks all the right questions during visits. It helps them flag a potential problem, says Dr. Kaiser. They can also respond quickly to messages through patient portals.
So you want a PCP. What next?
If you’re convinced it’s time you got a PCP, great! The next step: finding one that’s right for you. Your Wellframe app makes it easy.
Wellframe is included with your plan at no extra cost. It can connect you with a care advocate through secure chat. They can search for a provider who is in-network and a good fit for your needs. The care advocate can also make sure the provider is taking new patients. That could save you a lot of time and stress now — and for years to come.
Article sources:
Access to primary care: Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
Study about people with PCPs: JAMA Internal Medicine
Poll on prescription medication: Civic Science
Drug interactions: Cleveland Clinic
Primary care background: American Academy of Family Physicians
