Leave fast? Tap Quick exit or press Esc twice.Quick exit: leave this site now
Everything, A to Z Help now

Body · Finding a doctor

Finding a primary care doctor

A primary care provider (PCP) handles checkups, common illnesses and referrals, and helps you decide where to go when something's wrong. Find one in your plan's online provider directory, call to confirm they take your plan and new patients, and book a checkup while you're healthy. In network, most plans cover preventive care like vaccines, blood pressure and depression screening at no cost, even before your deductible. No insurance? Community health centers adjust fees to your income and serve everyone, even if you can't pay.

Easy30 min to find and bookPreventive visits often $0 in network; health centers charge by incomeChecked October 2, 2026

You'll need

  • Your insurance card, or know you're uninsured
  • A list of your medicines, allergies and past conditions
  • Your calendar

What to know

  1. Know what a PCP does: preventive care and healthy-living advice, treating common conditions, judging how urgent a problem is and where to get care, and referring you to specialists. Source: MedlinePlus1
  2. Know your options. Family medicine doctors and internists both see adults. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants can also be your PCP. Source: MedlinePlus1
  3. Search your plan's provider directory on its website, or call the number on your insurance card. Seeing an in-network provider usually means lower costs. Source: HealthCare.gov2 Many plans limit your choices, so check coverage before you narrow your list. Source: MedlinePlus1
  4. Ask around. Friends and family, your pharmacist or dentist, and your health plan's customer service can all recommend PCPs. Source: MedlinePlus1
  5. Call the office and ask whether they accept your plan and are taking new patients. Source: HealthCare.gov2 Use the questions below.
  6. Book a checkup. Marketplace plans and many others must cover a list of preventive services with no copay or coinsurance in network, even before you meet your deductible. Coverage can vary, so $0 isn't guaranteed in every case. Source: HealthCare.gov3
  7. Bring your card, your medicine and allergy list, and your questions written down.
Watch out Out-of-network doctors usually cost more, so confirm before you book. Source: HealthCare.gov2 If something comes up before you have a PCP, urgent care usually saves time and money over the ER for non-emergencies. Source: MedlinePlus1

Questions to ask before choosing

  • Are the office hours convenient for my schedule? Source: MedlinePlus1
  • Does the office return calls? Can I message the provider through a patient portal? Source: MedlinePlus1
  • Is the staff friendly and helpful? Source: MedlinePlus1
  • Does the provider focus on prevention or mostly on treating disease? Source: MedlinePlus1
  • Will they involve me in decisions about my care? Source: MedlinePlus1

Free preventive care for adults, in network

See it done

Video by American Osteopathic Association (AOA) Nonprofit

Doctors That DO: How to Find a Doctor with Dr. Mike

Watch on YouTube: Doctors That DO: How to Find a Doctor with Dr. Mike

2019 · Checked October 3, 2026

Heads up: Doctor Mike skips the insurance part. Check your plan's directory, then call to make sure they take your plan and new patients (steps 3 and 5).

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

  • No insurance? HRSA-funded health centers offer medical, dental and mental health care, adjust fees by income and family size, and must serve everyone even if they can't pay. Use HRSA's Find a Health Center tool. Source: HRSA4
  • Plan won't pay for a visit? You have the right to appeal and have it reviewed by an independent third party. Source: HealthCare.gov2
  • Can't find anyone in a Marketplace plan? Call the Marketplace Call Center at 1-800-318-2596. Source: HealthCare.gov2
  • Not sure about a provider? Some offices let you schedule a get-to-know-you appointment, which may be free or cost a small fee. Source: MedlinePlus1 If it isn't a fit, you can choose someone else.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Why have one

A PCP gives you an ongoing, trusting relationship with one professional over time. Source: MedlinePlus1

Health centers are everywhere

HRSA funds about 1,400 health centers running more than 16,600 sites in every state. Source: HRSA5

On your parent's plan?

You can generally stay on a parent's plan until you turn 26. Source: HealthCare.gov6 See Health insurance options.

Take it with you

Printable cardDownload card (PDF)

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) Choosing a primary care provider
  2. HealthCare.gov Getting medical care
  3. HealthCare.gov Preventive care benefits for adults
  4. Health Resources and Services Administration What is a health center?
  5. Health Resources and Services Administration About the Health Center Program
  6. HealthCare.gov How to get or stay on a parent's plan

Lesson B4.1 · Last checked October 2, 2026 against the sources listed.

Report a mistake

Next in BodyYour first appointment

Need help now?

If you or someone else is in danger, call 911 first. These lines are free, and someone answers.

What to do first, step by step