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:
- Talk to people you trust, such as family members, friends, neighbors, people in your community.
- Ask your health insurance company to help you find someone nearby who accepts your insurance.
- Search online (click through the links provided below)
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List of Healthcare Clinics in Polk County, Iowa:
- Broadlawns Medical Center
- The Iowa Clinic
- MercyOne
- Primary Health Care (Does not require health insurance)
- UnityPoint Health
- UnityPoint Health, Blank Children's Hospital
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:
- Get to know you and your current health, medical history, family’s medical history, treatment preferences and daily challenges, and your personality and lifestyle.
- 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.
- Make sure your vaccines are up to date to prevent illnesses like the flu.
- Help prevent cancer by making sure you are up to date on health screenings (Ex. colonoscopies)
- Treat health problems that pop up (such as a rash or an infection).
- Help you manage long-term health problems (for instance, diabetes, high blood pressure or depression).
- 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.