Primary Care is the first and best option for staying healthy. Having a primary care provider (PCP) means that you can see the same team at every visit. Your healthcare team will also have access to your medical records, so you don’t have to worry about calling any previous offices to get information from years ago.

Primary care includes regular annual check-ups, but you can also use your PCP for more urgent visits.

Primary Care Providers are also called PCP’s. These providers can be Medical Doctors (MD’s), Nurse Practitioners (NP’s), Physician Assistants (PA’s), and other types of medical providers. PCP can also refer to a Primary Care Physician. All PCP’s can diagnose and treat medical conditions, including prescribing medicine and ordering lab tests.

The most important factor in choosing a PCP is finding a provider that you trust. Establishing care with an initial well-visit or check-up can give you the chance to get to know a PCP before you need help with an urgent concern.

Relying on urgent care, the emergency room, or home remedies can be expensive and time-consuming. Having an established relationship with a trusted PCP means you can skip the wait at other walk-in healthcare providers and see someone who knows your health history and background.

Seeing a doctor for regular checkups and tests can also prevent problems from getting worse. This can save you time and money, while also helping you feel better every day. That’s why primary care is also called preventative care in many offices, including ours!

Even if you feel healthy right now, it’s always better to set up an appointment before you get sick. This lets your PCP take the time to get to know you without a pressing issue taking up the appointment time.

Your first appointment, also called an intake or initial visit, will be spent going over your medical history, your health goals, and any questions or problems that you have. Your provider may recommend certain tests, such as blood or urine tests, to check for any underlying issues. If you need any medicine or follow up treatment plans, your provider will let you know and send your prescriptions.

Residents of Watauga County can use the Hunger and Health Coalition free pharmacy right next door for their prescriptions. Patients from other counties in North Carolina like Ashe, Avery, Caldwell, Wilkes, and Burke, or Tennessee residents from Mountain City, Elizabethton, Roan Mountain, Johnson City, or other parts of the state, can access reduced cost medicine through our community partners. If you are worried about how to afford prescriptions without insurance, let your provider know so that they can help you find the right pharmacy.

Call the Community Care Clinic to set up your primary care appointment today!

The following resources have information about why primary and preventative care are important for every patient:

CDC Chronic Disease Preventative Care Page has information about how primary care can prevent or treat different chronic conditions.

CDC Vaccine Landing Page has information about different vaccines and vaccination schedules, as well as recommendations for children and adults.