Health

Find Your Healthcare Home and Primary Care Provider

What is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

A primary care provider is a doctor or medical person who takes care of you regularly; especially if you are sick, if you need shots, or if you need treatment for a health problem.

How do I find a primary care provider?

It’s important to find a PCP who is qualified, fits your personality, is culturally competent, meets your language needs, and accepts your insurance plan. There are many things you can do to find your PCP:

  1. Talk to people you trust, such as family members, friends, neighbors, people in your community.
  2. Ask your health insurance company to help you find someone nearby who accepts your insurance.
  3. Search online (click through the links provided below)

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List of Healthcare Clinics in Polk County, Iowa:

What are the benefits of having a healthcare home and a PCP?

A long-term relationship with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) keeps you healthier and lowers medical costs. Your PCP will:

  1. Get to know you and your current health, medical history, family’s medical history, treatment preferences and daily challenges, and your personality and lifestyle.
  2. Teach you ways to make better decisions about your health to prevent disease. For example, your PCP can help you: quit smoking, eat foods that are more nutritious or manage stress.
  3. Make sure your vaccines are up to date to prevent illnesses like the flu.
  4. Help prevent cancer by making sure you are up to date on health screenings (Ex. colonoscopies)
  5. Treat health problems that pop up (such as a rash or an infection).
  6. Help you manage long-term health problems (for instance, diabetes, high blood pressure or depression).
  7. Find a medical specialist if you need one (like a knee surgeon or a heart doctor).

For additional information, visit the Cleveland Clinic's Blog.