primary care provider

What is a primary care provider?

Your primary care provider (PCP) is the medical provider (usually a physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner) who can assess a wide range of medical conditions, coordinate care with specialists, and be your first point of contact when a new medical condition arises.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, the plan may require you to get a referral from your PCP before you can see a specialist. For these plans, a PCP is essential and your plan will assign one to you if you don’t select your own. Referrals are not required by Medicare Advantage PPOs (preferred provider organizations) or Original Medicare,¹ but many enrollees still choose to have a trusted PCP for their primary care and care coordination needs.