8 Things to Consider with your Primary Care Provider
Submitted by Missie S., Sprout Contributor
With the changes in our regional area related to the health care insurance companies, you may want to inquire with your PCP if there will be any changes at their practice related to health care insurance companies that they will be participating with, (what are the insurance companies they accept?). Your health care insurance normally has a listing of participating providers – on the back of you insurance card is a phone number to call for member services and/or an e-mail address to reference.
During the holiday season be familiar with your physician’s office hours for the "just in cases". Remember most physician practices have a physician on call covering for the practice. If calling during non – office hours be sure to have a pen and paper handy to write on - as many offices will give a number to call during off hours.
Does your PCP participate with a particular hospital or do they participate at all the local hospitals? This can make a difference with what your co-pay may be (if you have a co-pay) with your health care insurance.
You may also inquire if your PCP’s physicians are the same physicians that care for you while in the hospital. Not all PCP’s follow their patients while in the hospital.
When going to a scheduled appointment, be sure to write down questions or concerns you may have before hand and don’t forget to take it with you! That way you don’t forget to ask those important questions.
If your physician writes a prescription for medication, you may want to inquire if it is covered by your health care insurance – prescription plan. Many prescriptions plans have different costs related to a name brand versus a generic form of the medications. Physicians/ their office staff are able to assist in this information.
Physicians are limited in the knowledge of their patients – as it is up to a patient to provider their history and answer questions honestly.
Remember you and your physician are partners in your heath care!
