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.

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.

Referred care promotes communication between your participating primary care physician and participating specialists. When all parties are informed of your medical condition, you receive the most effective and necessary treatment. You'll also benefit from minimum out-of-pocket expense because only a small copayment is required.

In order to change your PCP you must contact your health plan directly - the number is found on your membership card. Before contacting the health plan, be certain you have the name and office location of the new PCP you would like to select. Many of the County health plans also allow you to change your PCP online at their websites at your convenience.

A primary care physician (PCP) is a medical professional who serves as a member's first contact with a plan's health-care system. The PCP is also known as a primary care provider, personal care physician or personal care provider. If your health plan has a primary care network, you will be required to select a PCP.

Answer: Generally, only HMO and POS insurance plans require PCP referrals. To request a specialist referral, call our main number at 615-342-5900 and select option 4 for referrals. Same-day referrals are difficult to process so please call in advance. Remember, referrals are often limited to a specific timeframe and number of visits so monitor your specialist visits as closely as possible.

Under a managed healthcare plan (such as Medical Mutual's SuperMed Select???, SuperMed HMO???, or HMO Health Ohio), a primary care physician (PCP) is responsible for providing, arranging and authorizing a patient's care. HMO plans emphasize the importance of a collaborative relationship between members and their PCPs.

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.

Although you are being cared for by more than one physician, Centrex is only permitted to send the results to the ordering physician. If you would like additional copies sent to your physician, it is necessary to ask the ordering physician to write “copy to Dr.______ ".

You may change your PCP by contacting Health Advantage Customer Service toll free at 1-800-843-1329. All requests are effective on the first day of the following month. NOTE: If your group is enrolled electronically, you may be required to make the change online or contact your group administrator to make the change.

A primary care physician, or PCP, is your first or primary source of medical care - your personal doctor. The PCP you choose coordinates all of your medical care, from your annual checkups to referrals to specialists, lab and x-ray services, and hospital admissions. PCP-based care is an effective way to maintain better health; regular physician visits build strong, secure doctor-patient relationships.