A Primary Care Provider (PCP) Puts Your Care at the Center

Even when you feel healthy, you should seek out preventive care and yearly checkups with your primary care provider (PCP).

February 21, 2023  

What Is Preventive Care?

Preventive care is getting health care now to prevent illness in the future. It includes health screenings, yearly checkups and counseling to prevent illness, disease or other health problems. Getting preventive care is covered at no cost to Tufts Health RITogether members. 

According to the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, getting preventive care can greatly reduce your health risks in the future. 

Getting yearly checkups with your PCP is a great way to be proactive and put yourself in control of your health. You and your PCP can discuss small problems before they become large ones. 

How a PCP Can Help

A PCP is the health care provider who knows you and helps keep you healthy. They see you for yearly checkups, help coordinate your specialty medical care, and look after your health overall.

You can count on your PCP to answer your questions and offer guidance for your health concerns, big or small. Here are a few ways that a PCP can support you:

  • Help you understand your treatment options for physical health or behavioral health
  • Refer you to specialists
  • Assess health risks
  • Discuss different areas of your life that may affect your physical and behavioral health and offer helpful suggestions

Help With Behavioral Health

Many children and adults face challenges related to difficult feelings and behavior. These are called behavioral health issues, and they are a crucial part of health overall. Behavioral health conditions include depression, anxiety disorder, alcohol and substance use disorder, and more. 

A PCP can help you assess and screen for any mental health or substance use issues you may be having. An office visit with your PCP is a great time to ask for help. Your PCP can help you understand the right treatment and service options for you, such as therapy or medication.