Make Primary Care a Priority in 2024
Healthcare Network
For more information about the author, click to view their website: Healthcare Network
Dec 16, 2023
Florida - Southwest
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People with health insurance are generally
expected by their insurance carriers to have a primary care physician. But
having a primary care physician is essential for everyone, and it goes
beyond just meeting the requirements of health insurance. Studies show they
lower the cost of care, improve health outcomes and positively impact the overall
health of the community.
A primary care physician (PCP) serves as the initial point
of contact for non-emergency medical concerns. They establish the foundation
for your overall health by familiarizing themselves with your individual needs
and circumstances. This long-term relationship results in early detection and
treatment of disease, chronic disease management and preventative care.
A PCP can be a family practitioner, generalist, internist, pediatrician,
geriatrician, obstetrician and gynecologist as well
as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant working with primary care
physicians.
Study after study has shown that people who have a PCP experience
extended lifespans, with reduced risks of mortality from conditions such as
heart disease, cancer, or stroke. This is because PCPs play a crucial role
in addressing minor illnesses and concerns at an early stage, preventing them
from escalating into more serious conditions. Moreover, individuals with a PCP
tend to incur lower healthcare costs, as these physicians actively monitor
wellness and facilitate coordinated care. This is especially important for seniors, as those who
receive regular, preventive care and have their health issues effectively managed
are less prone to hospitalization or emergency room visits.
A PCP becomes your partner, sharing the responsibility for
your physical and mental health and wellbeing. Since one in three seniors sees
at least five doctors a year, a primary care doctor can help provide seamless,
integrated care, managing appointments, prescriptions and providing a medical
home base by coordinating fragmented care.
In addition, patients who have providers who take time to
listen to their concerns are more satisfied with their health care experience
and are more likely to take care of their health. Unfortunately, more than 50%
of adults over 65 are not up to date on their recommended preventative
services. Seniors who skip their annual check-ups are at a higher risk for
medical conditions that a primary care doctor would have caught in time to treat.
Having a PCP means that patients are more likely to:
·
Fill
prescriptions and have routine preventative care like flu shots and blood
pressure screenings.
·
Receive
cancer screenings, including colorectal cancer screening and mammography.
·
Spend
less time in the hospital and less money on medical costs overall.
Still, about one-third of Americans do not have a PCP. If
primary care is so good for us, why don’t we all have a PCP? Two of the
barriers include lack of availability of doctors and lack of health insurance.
The U.S. Health Resources and
Services Administration designates nearly all of
Southwest Florida as a “Medically Underserved Area,” meaning there is a
shortage of primary care providers for the growing population.
Lack of health insurance has been shown to decrease the use
of preventive and primary care. People without health insurance may delay care
when they are ill or injured, and they are more likely to be hospitalized for chronic
conditions.
In 1977, Healthcare Network began
caring for migrant farmworkers and underserved populations in Immokalee who had
difficulties accessing primary health care. Since then, it has grown to provide
primary healthcare to men, women and children of
all ages, helping the disenfranchised, underinsured, and uninsured of our
communities, as well as those with insurance and resources who recognize the
quality and comprehensiveness of care available.
Community Health Centers like Healthcare Network improve
access to high quality primary care, while decreasing hospitalization rates and
use of emergency departments in the states and counties that they serve.
If you are currently healthy and don’t
have extensive medical needs, now is a great time
to establish a relationship with a PCP who can get to know you and help you
meet your health care goals. They will also be there when you need them. The
relationship you build with your primary care doctor could be one of the most
important you will ever have for your overall well-being.
Dr. Reinier Ramirez is a board-certified physician and the medical director of adult medicine for Healthcare Network. For information about primary care and other services or to make an appointment, call 239-658-300 or visit HealthcareSWFL.org.
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