Do I Really Need A Primary Care Provider?
Are you one of the 25% of American adults who doesn’t have a primary care provider (PCP)? Studies show that 28% of American men, 17% of women, and nearly half of adults under 30 don’t have a PCP. And these numbers have been growing over the last decade.
While it’s not uncommon to put off seeing a healthcare provider until symptoms are interfering with your day-to-day life, having a PCP, or at least a resource where you can go as a “first stop” for all your healthcare needs, offers several great benefits for your health–and can actually save you money in the long run.
Read on to learn what primary care includes, why it’s so worthwhile, and how you can leverage it to improve your health and your life. And it can be more convenient and affordable than you might think.
Why Don't People Have Primary Care Providers?
You might think it’s just uninsured Americans who don’t have a PCP, but studies show many Americans who have insurance don’t seek out primary care, either. This may be due to the rising cost of healthcare, which increased 7% in 2021 and is projected to increase another 6.5% by the end of 2022. And since most clinics use a fee-for-service model and charge you for labs and other medical supplies used as part of your fee, it’s understandable to be worried about a big bill that’s full of surprise expenses after your appointment.
It can also be a challenge to take time away from work or other obligations to see a PCP. Or maybe you’ve had unproductive PCP appointments in the past and aren’t sure what you’ll get out of it. The average length of a PCP appointment is around 15 minutes–and often less–which doesn’t allow for an in-depth discussion with most clinicians. On top of that, you often have to wait a week or two to see your clinician and spend 15-30 minutes or longer in the waiting room or exam room before your visit. All of these factors could make seeing a PCP feel inconvenient or low-priority.
But the truth is, not seeking primary care can be more expensive and inconvenient in the long run. That’s because PCPs provide a more holistic form of healthcare than specialists, urgent care, or emergency rooms (ERs), so having a regular primary care appointment will help you stay healthy and reduce your risk of developing health conditions in the future.
What Does a Primary Care Provider Do?
Primary care providers offer a broad range of health services for overall wellness, disease prevention, and treatment for everyday illnesses.
A PCP can provide:
Sick care, such as treatment for colds, flu, sinus or ear infections, pink eye, strep throat, or rashes
Chronic care issues, such as treatment for diabetes, asthma, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease, headaches, back pain, cancer treatment, and even anxiety or depression
Blood work, including diabetes and blood pressure checks, and screenings for STIs, anxiety, and depression
Prescriptions and/or medications
Other services that may include vaccinations and PAP smears
A PCP can manage all of your everyday health concerns and make sure any treatments or medications you receive from other clinics or specialists work well together. That’s just one of the many reasons having a PCP is crucial for protecting and improving your health.
Why Do I Need a Primary Care Provider?
Studies show that getting primary care services makes adults more likely to fill prescriptions, get important screenings for cancer and other deadly diseases, and receive high-quality care. So having a PCP can dramatically improve your health.
Here are a few other benefits of primary care:
More affordable care for colds and everyday illnesses. PCP visits are less expensive than going to the ER or urgent care when you’re sick, and they’ll help you feel better, faster while taking your medical history and concerns into account.
More convenient. Because your PCP has a full view of your health and medical history, they can serve as the coordinator for all your healthcare needs. Even if you can't get an appointment with them right away, your PCP may offer virtual consults or other short-term services, depending on your benefits package.
Lower overall healthcare costs. A PCP can reduce your risk of needing to visit the ER since they provide preventative care and reduce your risk of getting sick.
Provide regular monitoring for ongoing health issues. If you have ongoing health issues such as pain or high cholesterol, your PCP will help you keep your symptoms from worsening or developing further complications.
Lower risk of life-threatening health issues. Even if you don’t have any ongoing health conditions now, a PCP can help you catch any warning signs before they impact your health and daily life.
Better, more comprehensive care. PCPs provide more holistic, complete healthcare than specialists or ER staff. And it’s easier and more beneficial to talk about sensitive issues and your overall health when you’re not rushing in and out of an ER. This means less stress and more productive appointments–and better health outcomes.
Having a PCP can actually reduce your healthcare costs and help you live a longer, healthier life. And with a service like Nice Healthcare, you’ll have even more comprehensive care at your fingertips–without wait times or significant out-of-pocket costs.
Nice Offers Comprehensive, Affordable Primary Care – and Much More
Nice Healthcare makes primary care more convenient and affordable than ever–and at no cost to you. And primary care is just the beginning. We offer same-day virtual and in-home appointments, 35 labs, 550+ medications, virtual physical therapy, X-rays, and other imaging services, as well as mental health therapy to treat a wide range of health concerns.
We’ll connect you with a clinician who’ll address all your health concerns right through the app within minutes–and can send a clinician to your home if an in-person appointment is needed. And because our clinicians can spend up to 45 minutes with you, we can address all your health concerns thoroughly and accurately–on your schedule.
If you’d like to learn more about Nice’s primary care and other comprehensive services, click here.
If you’re an employer who’d like to learn more about Nice’s comprehensive in-home and virtual healthcare services, visit our employer page.