Finding a primary care provider (PCP) you can trust is one of the most important steps you can take for your health. Whether you’re choosing your first provider or you’ve moved to a new city and need to reestablish care, the right PCP will be your partner through your health journey.
As Ashlea Robertson, FNP, a Riverside primary care provider at Riverside Primary Care Smithfield explains, “Your PCP is your main point of contact for nearly all of your health needs, from annual checkups to referrals to specialists. Building that relationship helps us give you the best care possible.”
Below are tips to help you choose a primary care provider that fits your needs.
What Is a Primary Care Provider and Why Do You Need One?
A primary care provider is usually the first person you see for health concerns that aren’t emergencies. PCPs can be family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians (for children), nurse practitioners and physician assistants with advanced training (APPs).
They play a key role in:
- Preventive care, like vaccines and routine screenings
- Managing chronic conditions, such as diabetes or high blood pressure
- Coordinating care with specialists if needed
- Offering personalized recommendations for lifestyle and wellness
Choosing a PCP isn’t just about finding someone who is available, it’s about finding a provider you trust to understand your personal health journey.
Tips for Choosing the Best Primary Care Provider
When you’re deciding on a PCP, consider the following factors:
- Check Insurance and Network Coverage: Make sure the provider is covered by your health insurance plan. This helps lower out-of-pocket costs and keeps referrals and testing within your network.
- Look for Experience and Special Interests: Some primary care providers have additional expertise in women’s health, sports medicine, or geriatrics. Choose someone whose background aligns with your health needs.
- Consider Location and Accessibility: Convenience matters. A provider close to home or work makes it easier to schedule regular visits and stick to any follow-up appointments.
- Ask About Communication Style: Do you prefer online portals and quick email responses, or face-to-face conversations? Find a provider who communicates in a way that makes you feel heard and comfortable.
- Read Reviews and Ask for Recommendations: Friends, family or coworkers may have insights about providers they trust. Online reviews can also give you a sense of a provider’s approach to patient care.
Ashlea notes that “the best primary care provider is one who listens carefully, explains clearly and works with you as a trusted partner, caring for you as a whole person and not just a medical diagnosis.”
How to Choose a New Primary Care Provider When You Are New to an Area
Moving to a new city or state adds extra challenges to finding a PCP. Here’s additional tips to help make your transition easier, so your care can be seamless:
- Research local providers and health systems: Before you move, search for hospitals or networks in your new area with a strong reputation for coordinated care. Then you can choose from in-network providers who are accepting new patients.
- Check for patient resources: Many health systems, like Riverside, offer online portals where you can request appointments, see test results and message your care team electronically.
- Transfer your records. Once you choose your new PCP, ask your previous provider’s office to send your medical records to your new provider, once you select one, so your health history will be clear.
- Schedule an introductory visit. Meeting your new PCP early, before you’re sick, helps you build trust and allows the provider to get familiar with your health background.
“One of the biggest mistakes people make is waiting until they’re sick to find a new primary care provider,” says Ashlea. “Starting early gives you peace of mind and ensures you’re not scrambling when you need care most.”
What to Do if Your Chosen Primary Care Provider Is Not Available
Sometimes you need care right away and your PCP doesn’t have an open appointment – that’s when urgent care is a smart option.
Choosing an urgent care that’s part of a larger health system, like Riverside, comes with big advantages:
- Your records are shared seamlessly between urgent care and your PCP.
- Providers can see your full medical history for safer, more personalized treatment.
- Follow-up care with your primary provider is easier and more coordinated.
Urgent care isn’t a replacement for your PCP, but it’s a valuable extension of your care team. You can receive prompt treatment for common issues like sprains, infections or minor injuries, without losing the continuity of care you’d get from your regular provider.
Take the Next Step Toward Your Health
Choosing the right primary care provider helps you stay healthier, detect problems earlier and feel supported throughout your health journey. When combined with convenient access to urgent care, especially within a connected health system, you can feel confident that your care is complete, seamless and always centered on you.
If you’re wondering where the best place is to get care, please see our guide below:
If your problem is life- or limb-threatening, call 911 or go to the emergency room.
Primary Care – Schedule through MyChart or call your provider’s office who you go to for most health care needs.
Virtual Clinic – Schedule through MyChart or click Here to learn more about Primary Care On Demand.
MD Express Urgent Care – Click Here to find a location near you for after-hours care or when your primary care provider is not available. Open 9am-9pm, Mon-Sun.
OrthoConnect Orthopedic Urgent Care – Call 757-534-5600 to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. Walk-In clinic is now available 7am-2pm, Tuesday-Thursday at the Newport News location.
If you’re not sure, call Riverside Nurse 24/7 at 1-800-675-6368
