How to choose a primary care physician who is right for you

Whether you’re new to your insurance,recently moved or are just ready for a change, selecting a primary care physician is an important first step toward managing your healthcare.

Your primary care doctor is your medical “home.” It’s the doctor you visit for most medical needs, including wellness visits and routine screenings, non-emergency illnesses like earaches and sore throats and the person you speak to about your health questions and concerns. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, your primary care physician will also be the person who refers you to see a specialist.

Some patient-primary care relationships can span decades, while others will be short-lived because you change insurance, you move or they move. No matter how long you plan to see your primary care physician, the relationship is an important one. You’ll want to select someone you feel comfortable having honest conversations with, someone with expertise in the areas that meet your health care needs.

STEPS FOR CHOOSING A NEW PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN:

Find a doctor with expertise that meets your health needs.

There are several different types of doctor that will be identified as a primary care physician — typically Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Medicine or Geriatric

Medicine. HDMG offers over 40 providers to choose from.

GERIATRIC MEDICINE — A geriatric physician, also called a geriatrician, is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease and disability in older adults. Geriatric physicians are primary care doctors who are specially trained in the aging process.

Geriatricians provide comprehensive medical care for people later in life. They are board certified, usually in either family medicine or internal medicine, and have received additional training and certification in geriatric medicine. Geriatric physicians are concerned with health problems that frequently affect older adults, such as pain, falls, memory loss, incontinence and medication side effects. Another important aspect of geriatric medicine is evaluating an elderly patient’s ability to care for him- or herself.

INTERNAL MEDICINE — Internal medicine physicians typically treat adults and specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and management of disease and chronic conditions.

THINK ABOUT LOGISTICS

Do you want a doctor located close to your home? High Desert Medical Group offers primary care physicians who practice from their private offices, located throughout the Antelope Valley.

TAKE INTO ACCOUNT OTHER SERVICES OFFERED FOR SENIORS

HDMG offers services and amenities such as,A Geriatric Urgent Care Center open 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday and Urgent Care Center open 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., 365 days a year, a 24 Hour Nurse Advise Line, Telemedicine Appointments, a team of Personal Healthcare Assistants, Curbside Assistance, a Wellness and Enrichment Center, offering activities and events, and a Senior Fitness Center offering classes such as Zumba, Line Dancing, Tap Dance and Tai Chi, to name a few.

SCHEDULE YOUR APPOINTMENT

Your primary care physician should be someone you trust and can rely on to help manage your healthcare. During your first visit, talk with him/ her about any current medications you are taking and your medical history to be sure you are on the same page when it comes to managing any chronic conditions.