What Does a Primary Care Provider Do? How PCPs Support Your Health

Having a primary care provider (PCP) is important, but having the right support system behind that provider makes an even bigger difference. That’s where SummaCare can help. We bridge the gap between routine provider visits and proactive, preventive health.

SummaCare encourages members to establish a strong relationship with their primary care provider (PCP). We know that your PCP is your first stop for high-quality care. Your PCP can guide you on everything from routine checkups to more complex care decisions, ensuring your health stays on track over time.

Preventive Care: Covered and Encouraged

One of the biggest advantages of a SummaCare plan is its focus on preventive care at little to no cost. Preventive services are designed to catch potential health issues early or even stop them before they start — that’s a pretty big deal!

With SummaCare, you’re covered when it comes to:

• Annual wellness visits
• Flu shots and vaccinations
• Cancer screenings (breast, colorectal, cervical, lung)
• Cholesterol and diabetes screenings
• Mental health and depression screenings
• Nutrition and lifestyle counseling

These services aren’t just items to mark off your checklist; they form a comprehensive picture of your health and give your PCP the information they need to effectively advocate for you and the care you receive.

Why This Connection Matters

Preventive care works best when it’s coordinated, and that’s exactly what happens when you combine the PCP you choose to trust for your healthcare with a SummaCare health plan.

• Early detection: Routine screenings help identify issues before they become serious
• Personalized care: Your PCP uses preventive results to tailor recommendations specifically to you
• Better coordination: If specialized care is needed, your PCP helps navigate next steps within the network
• Lower costs: Preventing illness is almost always less expensive than treating advanced conditions

Taking the First Step

Getting started is simple:

1. Choose a primary care provider within the SummaCare network.
2. Schedule an initial visit to establish your health baseline.
3. Stay consistent with annual checkups and recommended screenings.

Even small steps, such as scheduling a yearly wellness visit, can have a lasting impact. In fact, SummaCare even incentivizes some preventive visits, reinforcing how valuable early care can be.

The Bottom Line

Primary care and preventive care go hand in hand. With support from SummaCare, you can shift from a reactive to proactive focus that leads to better health outcomes, lower costs and a healthier future.

To find out more about the preventive services you receive as a SummaCare member, visit summacare.com. For preventive health screening reminders, visit here for Individual & Family plan members and here for Medicare Advantage members.