No matter your age or how healthy you are, the benefits of having a primary care provider (PCP) are many. Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners all offer primary care, specializing in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology (OB-GYN).
A PCP can help you stay healthy and can be the first to treat any health problems that arise. Make time to find a PCP who is a partner in your long-term care, and have regular checkups. It’s important to choose someone that you can trust, someone who knows your health history, your goals, and your concerns. A long-term relationship with your provider will keep you healthier while also lowering your medical costs. Your PCP is your go-to for preventative care, and they are here to address any and all of your health concerns. Having a single contact for your medical needs is not only convenient but beneficial. Read on to learn more.
- Personalized care – Your primary care provider gets to know you. They understand what’s normal for you and are there for you when new concerns arise. The biggest benefits are preventative care and management of chronic conditions. Preventive care helps prevent illness or disease. It allows for a condition to be identified early on when it is easier to treat, which leads to better health outcomes. Your provider can help remind you when it’s time for certain screenings (mammograms, colonoscopies, etc.).
- Lower healthcare costs – Preventative care typically means lower healthcare costs, and are typically covered by insurance. Your healthcare provider may recommend certain screenings based on your risk-factors or family history, and can often catch illness in early, more treatable stages, which is usually less expensive than more specialized care. By staying up to date with routine physicals, screenings and vaccinations, you’re more likely to be able to avoid costly care and prescriptions later on.
- Coordination of Care – Your PCP will keep track of your health information all in one place, communicate with the entire care team on your behalf, and will help you avoid duplication of tests, screenings, or prescriptions.
- Higher Level of Comfort – Nobody likes opening up to strangers – especially about personal health information, needs and concerns. Choosing the right provider for you, someone you can relate to and someone who you trust is the first step. Having regular appointments to discuss your overall health or specific concerns will help build that relationship of trust which will help better your overall care.
- You’ll have a trusted health advocate and advisor – The relationship you establish with your primary care provider will be valuable in many ways. They will be a familiar face you can come to with any health questions or concerns. The better they know you and your history, the better they will be able to care for you and guide you through your long-term health goals.
Don’t have a primary care provider? Call 701.780.5000 or visit Altru Family Medicine today to learn more and find the right provider for you.
