Easier primary care visits start with booking the right type for your needs

How do you make the most of a visit with your primary care provider?

It depends on the type of visit. There are several visit types you can book with a provider.

In order for you to get the most effective care, here’s how to choose the best one for your needs and how to plan for each kind:

• New problem visit. If you're being seen for a new condition, keep the following in mind:
  • This visit type lasts about 40 minutes total and includes check in and time with the provider.
  • You can show up at the time of your visit — no need to come early — unless the clinic tells you otherwise.
  • Before your visit, jot notes to share what’s going on, such as:
  • What symptoms you’re experiencing.
  • When they started.
  • What treatments you’ve tried so far.
  • If your symptoms are getting worse or better.
  • You’ll have stats or vitals measured (height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, etc.).
  • Depending on the reason for your visit you might be asked to change into a gown.
  • To make sure your questions about your concern are fully answered, keep your focus on just the reason for your visit.
• Follow-up visit. As you’d expect, this type of visit is meant to be a time to talk with your PCP about a condition you’ve already been seen you for.
  • This visit type lasts about 40 minutes, including check in and time with the provider.
  • You can show up at the time of your visit unless the clinic tells you otherwise.
  • You will be weighed and have your height recorded. You’ll also have your vitals taken: temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, etc.
  • Depending on what needs to be checked, you might need to change into a gown.
  • Share how your symptoms have changed since the first visit.
  • If the condition is still bothering you, ask what’s next.
  • To make sure your concerns are answered, you’ll want to stay focused on the main subject. If you have other topics to discuss, make a separate appointment to give you and your doctor more time to fully address them.
• Annual physical. Your regular checkup is a once-a-year chance to talk with your PCP about your overall health, preventive care needs and health goals.
  • This visit type lasts about 40 minutes, including check in and time with your PCP.
  • You can show up at the time of your visit unless the clinic tells you otherwise.
  • You’ll have vitals measured (height, weight, temperature, blood pressure, blood oxygen level, etc.).
  • You may be asked to give a urine sample and/or have blood drawn for lab tests to check key health indicators such as blood sugar or cholesterol levels.
  • You may be asked to change into a gown. Your PCP will typically look or listen for potential health issues by:
    • Physically touching parts of your body.
    • Listening to your heart and lungs.
    • Looking into your eyes/ears/nose/throat.
    • Testing your reflexes and motor function (how you move).
    • Doing pelvic and rectal exams, as needed. If you don’t have an OB/GYN for reproductive care, your PCP may also do a cervical and/or breast exam, when recommended. 
  • Ask questions if you’re uncertain about recommended vaccinations, screenings and other preventive measures.
  • If you have new symptoms or conditions you want to discuss, ask if you need a separate visit to take care of them.
• Well-child check. This visit gives your child’s PCP the chance to check their overall health and development. It’s also a time to catch up on preventive care.
  • This visit lasts about 40 minutes, including check in and time with the provider.
  • You and your child can arrive at the time of the appointment unless the clinic tells you otherwise.
  • How often your child goes in for this visit depends on their age. The younger your child, the more often these checks should happen.  After your child turns 3, you can typically book this visit once a year.
  • Your child’s vitals and growth will be measured (head circumference, weight, height, temperature, blood oxygen level, etc.).
  • Your child might need to change into a gown. Their PCP will typically look or listen for potential health issues by:
    • Physically touching parts of their body.
    • Listening to their heart and lungs. 
    • Looking into their eyes/ears/nose/throat.
    • Testing their reflexes and motor function (how they move).
  • If your child plans to play sports, bring their sports physical paperwork to be completed at the visit. If you ask your provider to fill out the paperwork at a separate time, there may be a fee charged. Sports physicals are valid for two years.
  • If your child has new symptoms or conditions, ask if you need to book a separate visit to talk about them.
• Video visit. You can use a video visit to see your PCP about conditions that don’t need a physical exam, such as acne, minor infections or insomnia. If you’re having pain or shortness of breath, book an in-person visit.
  • This visit type lasts about 40 minutes.
  • Sign in to the link provided for your visit a couple of minutes before your appointment time to make sure your device and connection are working.
  • A medical assistant or nurse may join the visit to make sure you’re connected before the provider joins.
  • Most insurance plans cover video visits the same way as in-person appointments.
•  Annual Medicare Wellness visit. If you have Medicare, this once-a-year visit is a chance for you and your PCP to focus on prevention, health goals and preparing for future healthcare needs.
  • This visit type takes about 40 minutes.
  • You can show up at the time of your visit — no need to come early.
  • This visit does not include a physical exam, so you won’t change into a gown. 
  • It will include:
    • Review of current medications.
    • Review of medical and family history.
    • Routine measurements (height, weight, blood pressure).
    • Personalized health advice.
    • Review of preventive services and screening tests available to you.
    • Advance care planning (putting in writing what care you want if you can’t speak for yourself.).
    • An optional questionnaire about your basic and social needs.
    • If you want to use this visit to address something outside of your overall wellness, you may be charged for that part of the visit. 
    • Read why you should take advantage of your Annual Medicare Wellness visit.

Important details to know

• My PeaceHealth saves you time. With every visit type, you can save time by checking in for your visit through the patient portal, My PeaceHealth. You can answer questions and fill out any required questionnaires. After your visit, you can log in to review notes about what happened at your appointment. If you have simple questions, you can send a message to your clinic or provider. For more complex discussions, you may want to set up a follow-up visit in person or on video.
• Care management can help. If you could use more help managing a long-term condition such as diabetes, depression or COPD, ask your PCP about Flourish. This PeaceHealth care management program can help you between visits with your regular provider. Read how Flourish works.
• When your concerns can't wait. Between scheduled visits with your PCP, there might be times when you need care right away. When you do, call your PCP’s office. They might be able to get you in quickly. If not, you can seek care from a same-day, urgent or Priority Care clinic. For emergencies, call 911 or go to the nearest ER.
• If you have insurance questions. If you have new insurance or haven't booked a certain visit type before, you may want to check your plan coverage to find out what or if you'll have to pay for a portion of the visit. If your insurance asks for the "CPT billing code," contact Patient Financial Services after your visit to get more information.

Bonus tips regardless of visit type

Here are a few more tips, regardless of visit type or where you get care:

• Communication help. If you’d like communication support, let our staff know when you book your visit. We can arrange for an interpreter if English isn’t your main language. And we have tools to help if you have low vision or difficulty hearing/speaking. Learn more.
• Financial aid. If you could use help paying a bill, PeaceHealth offers assistance to those who qualify. Get more information.
• Additional resources. Do you need a ride to or from an appointment? Could you use other essentials like utilities or food? Explore what’s available near you.