Primary Care

Primary care is a general term for the basic, day-to-day care you receive from your physician or healthcare practitioner. Think of your Primary Care Physician, or PCP, as your go-to resource most of your healthcare needs. Except in the case of a life-threatening emergency, your PCP will be the first call you make for all of your healthcare needs. Make sure your PCP knows your health history and current lifestyle. And if you have questions, don’t be afraid to ask. Being proactive with your PCP will result in a better health outcome.

Your PCP can provide services such as:

• Diagnosing and treating of common conditions
• Educating you about leading a healthy lifestyle and other preventive measures
• Assessing urgent problems and directing you to appropriate care
• Referring you to a Specialist for non-primary care

Your PCP is both your advocate and your partner within the healthcare system. In the event you are referred specialist or are admitted to the hospital, your PCP will stay appraised of all the care you receive.

Choosing the right PCP

Whether you’re new to a health plan and must appointment a PCP or you have a PCP but want to make a change, think about what you’ll need in a long-term health partnership. Does the doctor’s office need to be close to work or home? Does the office need to be open early mornings or evenings? Do you need a doctor who speaks a language other than English? Would you prefer someone who is the same gender? You can use our Search Tool to find a Graybill physician by location, specialty, language, and more. If you need additional assistance in choosing a PCP, you can also contact our Patient Communications Center and ask a Service Representative to assist you.