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Your Challenge:
Find a primary care provider that is covered by your insurance network.
Why Do This?
A primary care provider (PCP) is the main health care practitioner you see in non-emergency situations. This doctor, physician assistant or nurse practitioner is generally someone you see on an ongoing basis and build a medical relationship with so it's important to choose someone you feel comfortable with.
Dig In
Things to Think About When Choosing a PCP:
- Is the office staff friendly and helpful? Is the office good about returning calls?
- Are the office hours convenient to your schedule?
- How easy is it to reach the provider? Does the provider use email?
- Do you prefer a provider whose communication style is friendly and warm, or more formal?
- Do you prefer a provider focused on disease treatment, or wellness and prevention?
- Does the provider have a conservative or aggressive approach to treatment?
- Does the provider order a lot of tests?
- Does the provider refer to other specialists frequently or infrequently?
- What do colleagues and patients say about the provider?
- Does the provider invite you to be involved in your care? Does the provider view your patient-doctor relationship as a true partnership?
- MedlinePlus, ‘Choosing a Primary Care Provider’
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Apply Yourself
Ask a Doctor
(Android, Free)
iTriage Health
(iTunes and Android, Free)
WebMD
(iTunes and Android, Free)
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