Can a specialist be my primary care physician?
The medical field is vast and filled with titles and names that may be tricky to understand. For example, take primary care practitioners (PCPs), family doctors, and internists. Show
These medical professionals cover a lot of the same territory in treating people, but knowing the differences will help you find the one thats right for you and your family. Primary care practitioner (PCP)The term primary care practitioner (PCP) refers to any of the following types of medical professionals:
They treat a wide range of health issues and can help coordinate your medical treatment with various specialists. What do they do and whom do they treat?When youre sick, either with a cold or something more serious, you may first visit your PCP. They are trained to treat people of all ages for a wide variety of medical issues, including disease prevention and maintenance. If a condition is beyond their scope, they may refer you to a specialist. For many of your healthcare needs, you may only need to see a PCP. If your needs go beyond their scope, you may need to see a specialist or another doctor. A PCP can also help to coordinate medical treatments across many specialties. For example, if you discover you have an infected gallbladder, your PCP may refer you to a gastroenterologist for a consultation and then to a surgeon to have the gallbladder removed. These specialists are responsible for your treatment, but your PCP oversees the entire series of events. When should you see a PCP?Whether youre battling the flu or showing signs of blood sugar problems, your PCP will likely be the first doctor you encounter in your treatment timeline. Will insurance cover your visit?Most insurance plans cover visits with a PCP. Some PCPs offer services that wont be covered by your insurance. Be sure to verify what your plan does and doesnt cover with your doctors office or your insurance company before your visit. Below we discuss two types of PCPs: family doctors and internists. Family doctorA family doctor can care for practically anyone. In fact, a family doctor may care for every member of a family at all stages of their lives. What do they do and whom do they treat?A family doctor is trained to care for a person from infancy to advanced age. They are often the doctor you will see to treat minor problems, like bronchitis, and major problems, like high blood pressure. Family doctors will often advocate for you. They encourage healthy lifestyle changes for chronic problems. If the doctor also treats other members of the family, they may be able to help you get ahead of potential genetic issues, like obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol. For many people, having a doctor who is intimately aware of both your personal and family history can be helpful and comforting. And if your condition goes beyond the scope of your family doctors training, they may refer you to a specialist. What is their training?Family doctors have completed 4 years of medical school and 3 years of residency. They can treat people of all ages. Their residency training includes a variety of specialties, from gynecology to mental health. When should you see a family doctor?A visit to the family doctor is typically the first step in the treatment process. For example, you might go because you have poison ivy and need a prescription. Or you might go because youve been having unexplained dizziness and need some help figuring out why. Will insurance cover your visit?With a few exceptions, insurance should cover visits to your family doctor. Some family doctors provide services such as smoking cessation counseling that not every insurance company covers. Ask your doctors office to confirm if your visits will be covered or if you should plan to pay out of pocket.
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