Is your PCP an MD or NP?
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Anonymous
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I need to find a new PCP. Mine gave notice that they will not be participating in my insurance in 2025.
I will have the same insurance in 2025 that I have now. I searched for a new PCP practice and every option that's a reasonable distance from me is coming up as a NP. Is this the new norm? Is there any downside to choosing a practice where it appears there is one MD and around 10-12 NPs? The practice I've been with for the last 10ish years was 2 MDs and a small team of RNs. |
Anonymous
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I’m an MD primary care doctor. This will be the norm going forward. Very few doctors want to do primary care (neither do NPs by the way but they have less of a choice). I personally would try to get an MD because the NP training is very spotty (just hop onto Reddit NP to see how much people are complaining about their lack of training) or even a PA (better training) at the end of the day someone is better than no one.
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Anonymous
| ^but at the end of the day |
Anonymous
| Mine is an NP. Her care has been fine. I have one complicated health issue that I see a specialist for, so the PCP doesn’t really have to address that. |
Anonymous
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Yes, it's the norm unless you are at a concierge practice. I think it's fine if you're generally healthy with no chronic conditions. I'm satisifed with mine. He pulls in an MD in the office next door at teh same practice as needed.
Benefit is I can usually get appointment with my NP with 1-2 days' notice unless he's on vacation. |
Anonymous
| Mine is a PA, she’s great. There is an MD in her practice I can see if I want, but I prefer her. |
Anonymous
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MD. I’ve had NPs misdiagnose and miss diagnoses. While I am generally healthy, I have a couple of chronic conditions that are not degenerative and do not affect my life expectancy. My experience has been that NPs do not have the same training and judgement-based experience as doctors to be a partner in managing things and being discerning about new symptoms.
However, for the privilege of using an MD, I pay entirely out of pocket for a concierge practice. |
Anonymous
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If you are healthy it’s fine.
If not try to find a doctor. |
Anonymous
This. I was fine with a NP. But now a bit older with real issues, I have an MD. Well, actually, a DO. He’s pretty decent. |
Anonymous
| Mine is a DO. |
Anonymous
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Thank you all. I think I will be good then. I have a longtime Endocrinologist I see for my T1D.
This will be someone I see for my yearly physical and minor illnesses. Also where my yearly mammogram results will be sent. |
Anonymous
I have some complex conditions that most PCPs don't have the training to monitor. I trust the specialists and for me the PCP or NP just needs to issue a couple of routine prescriptions. I didn't go for a concierge doctor because I wasn't paying $2000 for them not to be able to manage my conditions, which are above their pay grade. I couldn't see what their extra special annual check ups would accomplish. My previous PCP (before she went concierge) knew that I knew more about my condition than she did. |
Anonymous
Can you go with someone who uses the same portal as the endocrinologist? That way they can both see all blood tests etc. |
Anonymous
| NP and I love it. She's a woman my age (51) who completely understands menopause and recommends things (HRT) before I even have to think about them. |
Anonymous
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I want my medical care to be provided by someone who completed medical school and a residency, preferably who is board certified.
There is no comparison between that and a nurse, even one with an advanced practice degree Unfortunately the MDs around here who are highly regarded all seem to be going the concierge route. It is not right. |