primary care provider

What is a primary care provider?

A patient’s main healthcare provider whose responsibility it is to provide, coordinate, or helps you access a range of healthcare services. These providers include doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants and are often responsible for coordinating your care with other providers and specialists. Individuals may be required to select one under their insurance plan, if your plan is a health maintenance organization (HMO) or point of service (POS) plan; he or she serves as a healthcare home base, makes referrals and is able to become familiar with and track a patient’s health history.