Buzz
You might get by without a primary care physician (PCP) for a while if you're young, healthy, and somewhat careless. However, eventually, you'll encounter enough health issues that not having a PCP will complicate your life. Here's how to know when it’s time to change that:
You have a health issue that needs follow-up care
I ended up finding a PCP this year after dealing with a case of mono. I’d visited two different urgent care centers with strange, ambiguous symptoms, and neither one knew anything about my medical history besides what I initially told them. All they could do was run the necessary tests or give me prescriptions for the moment, then urge me to follow up with '[my] regular doctor.'
That’s because your PCP is much better at tracking your health over time. They’re equipped to handle your ongoing concerns and link your different health issues together.
You’re not entirely sure where the issue lies
Many health insurance plans let you bypass a PCP visit if you know exactly what the issue is. Have allergies? Go straight to the allergist. Muscle soreness? In many states, physical therapists can treat you without needing a referral.
However, this only works when you’re certain about your problem. Dr. Google has its limits. Your PCP can help identify the right specialist you should see, or might even be able to address your concerns without needing another visit.
You’re seeing multiple specialists
If you find yourself consulting more than one specialist, chances are their recommendations may conflict. Your PCP can help you navigate through the different advice and prioritize what matters most.
The more intricate your medical condition, the more crucial this becomes. Healthcare professionals refer to this idea as the medical home. (It's a metaphor, not a literal house.) Regardless of where you receive your treatment, all the information needs to be centralized in one place or with one person who keeps track of everything.
You’re tired of repeatedly having the same tests ordered
If you're bouncing between urgent care centers or specialists, there's a high chance you'll undergo more tests (and spend more money) than if you had stuck with one doctor throughout.
When you stay with one doctor, and have all other healthcare providers send their information to them, it should be easy for you (or them) to check whether you've already had the test they want to prescribe.
You haven’t had a checkup in ages
Healthy adults might not need an annual checkup, but that doesn’t mean you should never get one. Many of your health needs aren’t related to a specific body part that hurts enough to take you to urgent care.
Preventive care is crucial if you want to maintain good health. Depending on your age and risk factors, you may require vaccines, cancer screenings, or other regular tests and procedures. The good news: even if you have a high deductible, insurance plans must cover most preventive care at no cost.
You wish you could get fast answers to your questions
There are times when you don’t feel like going to urgent care just to get an answer to a simple question. Video visits can handle basic issues, but they still take time, and there’s no easy transfer if you need to see someone in person.
However, if you’ve built a relationship with a PCP, you can often just call them (or message them) to quickly get the answer to something you’re curious about. They have all your medical history, and best of all, they’ll probably remember you. Typically, if they’ve seen you recently, you can easily get prescriptions filled and have simple questions addressed. So, if you're not driven by health concerns, consider getting a PCP as a way to pamper your laziness.
