According to the National Library of Medicine, people with a primary care physician have 33% fewer health care costs annually and lower premature death rates.
Establishing a primary care physician and scheduling annual doctor’s visits are important ways to stay on top of your health. Regular exams and testing can catch problems ahead of time, making the chances higher for effective treatments to promote a longer, healthier life. Building a good relationship with your primary care physician helps ensure your general care needs are being handled by someone who knows you well and who can refer you for specialized care if needed.
Your primary care physician will track your medical history to determine how to best care for you. It is important to know what the normal numbers are for your health; staying up to date with proactive testing allows you to keep tabs on normal versus abnormal levels in your body to better maintain your health and identify any potential risk factors for disease.
Health insurance company AultCare recommends scheduling an annual doctor’s appointment to:
- Assist with maintaining a healthy lifestyle
- Keep track of blood pressure and heart rate
- Check fat and sugar levels
- Monitor cholesterol levels
- Make sure you’re up to date with vaccines
- Screen for cancer and/or osteoporosis
Tips to keep in mind when finding a primary care physician:
- Make sure your doctor is in your health insurance network
- Look for a doctor whose specialty best fits your needs
- Family Practice – doctors who treat everyone in a family
- Pediatricians – doctors who treat children and teenagers
- Geriatricians – doctors who treat people 65 and older
- Internal Medicine – internists are specific to a particular need, especially if you have a certain long-term health concern
- General Practice – like family practice doctors, they treat any gender and age range
- Obtain referrals from people you know and trust
- Find an office location that’s most convenient for you
If you need help finding a primary care physician, please reach out to your Schauer Group representative.
