MainStreet Family Care is sharing information about the one relationship that could improve your health, prevent disease, extend your life expectancy, and save you money.
Sign Up Now!
Step 1: Signup for the Patient Portal
Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment
Register New Patient Portal Account
If you already have a portal account, simply log in.
What is Primary Care?
Primary care is a patient-centered approach to healthcare that addresses your overall health needs throughout your life. It focuses on your physical, mental, and social well-being to promote your highest level of health. Primary care is designed to provide the most effective and highest-quality healthcare, leading to better care, better health, and lower costs through a primary care relationship.
How Do I Choose a Primary Care Partner?
The relationship between you and your primary care partner is what sets primary care apart from other forms of healthcare. It is a long-term relationship built on trust that allows your healthcare provider to recommend care based on your:
- Current health status
- Daily challenges
- Lifestyle choices
- Personal medical history & family history
- Personality
- Treatment preferences
This is an important relationship. Your primary care partner is your go-to person for all things health-related. Here are a few questions to consider in your search:
- Do others recommend the provider?
- Do you feel comfortable sharing personal information with the provider?
- Does your insurance cover the provider?
- Is the provider accepting new patients?
- Is the provider board-certified?
- Is the provider in a convenient location with convenient hours for you?
Primary healthcare partners come in several forms and may be referred to as:
- Family medicine doctors
- Family physicians
- Internal medicine doctors
- Nurse practitioners
- Physician assistants
- Primary care physicians
Did you know MainStreet Family Care offers primary care services with board-certified medical professionals? We are open seven days a week with extended hours and accept most major insurance plans and Medicaid. Sign up for a patient portal account to schedule an appointment!
Why Should I See Primary Care?
There are so many benefits of primary care services. Here are a few ways primary care keeps you healthy:
- A trusted “health home” to go to when you are sick and need treatment for health issues from a primary care team who knows you.
- An entry point to the healthcare system able to provide referrals to specialized care when needed. Your primary care team can help refer you to an allergist or orthopedic surgeon, for example, that fits your personality and treatment preferences.
- Manage chronic diseases to prevent the progression of diseases and health conditions such as:
- Preventive care to avoid disease and illness through vaccines and healthy lifestyle choices such as a balanced diet and regular exercise.
- Regular check-ups to maintain your health. Your primary care team can spot trends in your weight, vital signs, and lab work that may indicate a need for a dietary, exercise, lifestyle, or medical intervention to help you stay healthy.
- Routine screenings to detect chronic diseases early, such as breast, colon, and prostate cancers. Early treatment has better outcomes.
Two things that we tend to value most are time and money. Let’s talk a little more about how primary care services can give you more of both.
Extend Your Life Expectancy
A study from Harvard Medical School and Stanford University School of Medicine demonstrated that access to primary care services is directly related to a longer life expectancy.
Conversely, a study by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health showed that living with chronic diseases is directly related to a shorter life expectancy. Specifically, the study showed that each chronic disease lowers your life expectancy by approximately 1.8 years. According to the study, a person with five chronic diseases is expected to live nine years less than a person with no chronic disease.
Nearly four out of every five older Americans live with multiple chronic diseases, but it does not have to be that way. Primary care services can help guide you to incorporate healthy living choices today that can prevent chronic diseases down the road. They can also help you manage chronic diseases to slow their progression and maintain your quality of life.
Save Money
Insurance companies know the benefits of primary care services—specifically preventive care services. In fact, many health insurance plans cover annual exams and preventive screenings with no co-pay or a reduced co-pay. They have run the numbers, and they know that primary care services save them (and you!) money in the long run by:
- Preventing disease
- Reducing emergency room visits
- Reducing hospitalizations
- Reducing the need for higher-cost specialized care
Your healthcare costs are generally one-third less when you have primary care services.
Turn to MainStreet Family Care
Are you ready to establish a trusted relationship with a primary care partner? MainStreet Family Care Primary Care Services is accepting new patients and would love to be your partner in health!
Register online for a primary care patient portal account and schedule an appointment through your patient portal. We’re open seven days a week with extended hours and can often schedule same-day or next-day appointments.
Sign Up Now!
Step 1: Signup for the Patient Portal
Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment
Register New Patient Portal Account
If you already have a portal account, simply log in.
Additional Resources:
If you are looking to learn more about Primary Care at MainStreet, feel free to check out the articles below:
What Can Primary Care Providers Treat?
