Primary care is personal. It’s your first point of care, the provider who handles your general health needs, from routine check-ups to managing chronic conditions. Armed with your medical history and notes from previous visits, your provider can take much of the stress and uncertainty out of healthcare.
Your primary care provider is your health’s best friend, a trusted source of good advice. Having someone you see regularly can save you money, time and keep you healthier in the long run. Prevention is key, and your primary care provider is your partner in staying ahead of the game. And if you end up needing a specialist, they’ve got connections!
Do you have questions about what a primary care provider can do for you? We’ve got resources below to help you navigate finding the right provider for you.
How can a primary care provider help you? In more ways than you think.
We make it incredibly easy to connect with a primary care provider.
Nervous about going to see your provider? We’ve got you covered with this guide.
The best time to establish a relationship with a primary care provider is when you turn 18 and transition from pediatric to adult healthcare. The second-best time is NOW.
Having that primary care relationship is important to keeping you healthy in the future. As we get older, a variety of screenings for certain types of cancers and other conditions become necessary, and your primary care provider can help you prepare to reach those benchmarks.
Besides screenings, your primary care provider can get you on a regular routine of annual physicals and other wellness checks, constantly monitoring your medical chart to stay on top of any changes in your health.
People between the ages of 18-39 should make an appointment at least once every two years for men, and once every one to two years for women. Those in the 40-64 age range should visit their PCP once a year for a physical. Those visits can increase for people over 64.
Providers offer insight about the importance of primary care on our podcast:
In addition to regular OB-GYN exams, annual primary care visits are so important for your health and well-being. You need both! Establishing primary care ensures you receive comprehensive care for a wide range of conditions. Put yourself first. See what a difference it makes having a primary care doctor you can turn to for good advice.
Our Lady of the Lake Physician Group offers a full spectrum of primary care services for women ages 18+. Featuring a spa-like environment, the clinic is designed to meet women’s unique medical needs.
Our Lady of Lourdes provides the area’s first primary care clinic specifically for women. In a welcoming environment on the campus of Our Lady of Lourdes Women’s & Children’s Hospital, the clinic offers comprehensive care for women and girls ages 13+.
It can sometimes be tricky determining if you need to visit your primary care provider, local urgent care or even the emergency department. Learn how to get the care you need quicker.
Learn about the programs we offer that provide priority access to your provider and patient perks based on a membership plan.