Don't sue us! Fractured Atlas is not an insurance company. We're also not lawyers, brokers, agents, doctors, or anyone else qualified to give professional advice. We try our best to be helpful, but take anything written here with a handful of salt.

A primary care physician specializes in the delivery of medical care to all age groups. The primary care physician in many cases also will deliver many types of gynecological care, is knowledgeable in the area of dermatology, sports medicine, gastroenterology, urology and orthopedics. In many cases the primary care physician is also able to do many types of testing in the office, including laboratory, stress testing, minor dermatological procedures.

Yes. You may choose your own personal physician from our available primary care doctors in these specialties: internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics.

Your primary care provider is responsible for managing your health care needs. Many HMOs require its members to receive all care from the primary care provider or with a referral from the primary care provider.

All of our patient providers are trained to provide complete health care for all family members from infants to the elderly. Additionally, some have special interests or training, which would provide for your specific needs. If you are pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant, several of our physicians provide prenatal care and hospital delivery. Please click here to see detailed information about each of our doctors’ training and special interests.

ODS' POS network includes over 6000 primary care physicians and specialists. To find a PCP in your area, go to our provider directory. Be sure to contact the physician's office to verify that they are accepting new patients. Also, make sure you select a PCP from the correct network for your plan (your plan is noted on your ID card and in your (Member Handbook). ODS contracts with several networks to provide more physician choices and geographic areas.

The Fellowship program is geared toward the practices of primary care physicians, however, nearly all types of physicians benefit from participating. Pediatricians, OB/GYN, emergency medicine, opthamologists, surgeons, radiation oncologist, otolaryngologists, anesthesiologists, etc. have all been successful participants in the program and report great satisfaction from the learning experience. Yes! Please send us an email at afinfo@email.arizona.

When you first enroll, you select your PCP from your Blue Cross and Blue Shield provider directory. A provider directory is included with your enrollment materials, or you can call Member Services to learn more about a particular PCP.

Answer: Contact Member Services at your health plan directly. You may contact Blue Cross Blue Shield at 1-800-814-4371; Boston Medical Center Preferred at 1-888-333-4742.

You can request a Primary Care Physician change at anytime. If you need to change your Primary Care Physician, simply select a new one from your UNICARE HMO Directory of Providers or from the UNICARE website. You must then call customer service to make a record of the change. Keep in mind that some Primary Care Physicians may not be accepting new patients. A customer service representative will be able to tell you which Primary Care Physicians are accepting new patients and will assist you.

We encourage you to choose a physician who specializes in internal medicine, family medicine, or pediatrics for your primary care. Physician profiles are posted on our Web site, kp.org. To select a physician, call Member Services at 303-338-3800. For the Kaiser Permanente for Individuals and Families coverage options, you'll be asked to select a PCP from an extensive list of highly qualified physicians. You may change your PCP at any time, for any reason.

Our providers work with the Inpatient Physicians of Forsyth (IPOF), a team of very qualified hospital specialists at Forsyth Medical Center. IPOF is a multi-specialty team of physicians who will admit and care for our patients during their hospital stay. Our providers are in communication with the inpatient physicians regarding treatment plans and questions regarding care and discharge.

Because AmeriHealth 65 Basic is a managed care plan, all your health care must be provided, arranged or authorized by your Primary Care Physician. The doctor you select from our extensive network – and it may be the doctor you see now – will coordinate your care to help ensure better quality care with fewer complications and faster recoveries, and to lessen the likelihood that your medications and treatments conflict.

When you pick Continucare as your medical care giver, you have the option of selecting your own doctor in your chosen medical center. To find out more information on our qualified physicians by center simply call 1-866-814-7844, or visit our Physicians page.

Yes. You may choose your own personal physician from the Kaiser Permanente available primary care doctors in these specialties: internal medicine, family medicine, and pediatrics. Also, women may select an available obstetrician/gynecologist as their primary care physician.

The footwear for the diabetic patient is prescribed by a doctor. Most patients who are at risk for complications are referred to a foot care professional for routine nail and callus care. Footwear issues are typically addressed by the professional who performs these services. Many times however, the primary care clinician becomes involved in the footwear prescription and/or assessment. The primary care physician is not always "up to speed" as to the principles of proper diabetic footwear.

Yes. Because your medical condition will change following weight loss surgery, it is essential that you are closely monitored by your primary care doctor. We will keep him or her informed on your progress.

A referral or an authorization number is needed if you are a participant of a managed care insurance plan. Managed care plans include HMO's, EPO's and POS's. If your doctor has referred you to Baylor Eye Physicians & Surgeons, be sure to ask if a referral name or number is needed. If you are uncertain of the type of insurance plan you currently have or if a referral or authorization is needed, contact your insurance carrier prior to your visit.

Absolutely! Although a referral is not a requirement, the EAC welcomes the early involvement of your primary care physician. If you are in a health plan where referral is required, the Center will, whenever possible, try to connect you with one of our rheumatologists who participates in your plan.

Dr Patel is a board certified primary care physician who has taught at The University of Illinois and practiced for 10 years. Even so, her transition into the field of Age Management Medicine involved extensive additional training at the prestigious Cenegenics Institute as well as countless hours of preparation for a certifying examination.

Yes, our Spine Center team will keep your referring physician informed of your progress. Should the surgeon recommend medications, such as steroids or anti-inflammatories, he will send the suggestion to your referring physician for his/her consideration.

It is best to check with your insurance company to confirm whether you need a referral. Patients who do not bring their referrals will not be seen.

A Primary Care Physician, or PCP, is the doctor you would go to on a regular basis, such as when you're simply not feeling well, or have an ear ache or the flu. A specialist is a doctor that your PCP might refer you to if the problem you have requires a doctor with more experience in a certain area.

Kaiser Permanente, medical decisions are made by physicians in close consultation with their patients, not by health plan administrators. The doctor-patient relationship is the foundation of how we practice medicine-no third party is involved in medical decisions.