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How Do I Get Primary Care in Houston?

Primary care is the critical center of all health care. A primary care provider can treat various medical conditions while providing crucial preventative care and medical advice to improve or maintain your overall wellness. Whether you need attention for a health-related issue you’ve been having or just need a check-up, Sesame can help you get the care you need. Sesame has a network of hundreds of doctors and health care professionals across the country, including in Houston. Finding primary care that you trust can be tricky. Book a visit with a local health care provider near you to get top-rated care at a fraction of the price.

Here’s how to get started:

• Search “Primary Care” in Sesame’s search bar
  
• Browse the list of available providers near you
  
• Choose between video and in-person services
  
• Pick a time that works best for your schedule
  
• Set up your appointment
  
  

Providers on Sesame list their prices upfront, so the price you see is the price you pay. No hidden fees or surprise charges. Sesame works directly with providers, not insurance companies, so you never need to worry about whether or not a provider is out of network or if you will have to pay an exorbitant premium. Again, the price listed on the site is the price you will pay upfront for your care.

Primary care can help you treat managing conditions while preventing health issues down the road. Don’t wait to set up an appointment. Book a visit on Sesame and save up to 60% on your care.

What is a primary care provider?

Primary care providers (PCPs) are the cornerstone of our healthcare system, playing an essential role in preventative and routine care. They’re there to help you manage chronic conditions, provide follow-up care after a hospital visit or check up on your overall well-being. They offer a range of services, such as preventive health screenings, diagnosis, and management of acute and chronic illnesses, ordering laboratory tests and interpreting results, prescribing medications when necessary, providing counseling on lifestyle changes to improve health outcomes, coordinating referrals to other healthcare professionals or specialized services when needed. They also provide education about healthy living habits that can help prevent illness in the future.

Family doctors, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical specialists work together to ensure you receive the best possible care. Primary care providers can also refer you to specialized services when needed, helping you access the treatments and resources you need.

Primary care is often the first kind of care a patient receives. You will likely see a primary care provider before you get sick, need to see a specialist, or need to go to a hospital.

What kind of primary care provider is right for me?

Primary care providers have undergone at least 11 years of education and training before practicing medical care. A primary care doctor must:

• Complete a 4-year medical degree from an accredited school
  
• Must pass the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE)
  
• Residency training to specialize in family medicine, internal medicine, or pediatrics
  
• Board certification in primary care specialties such as family practice and internal medicine
  
• Keep up with continuing medical education requirements
  
• Obtain additional specialized training if needed
  
  

This extensive training allows these physicians to diagnose and treat various conditions. There are, however, subspecialties of primary care. While all primary care providers have completed a medical degree and residency, they can receive specialized training to provide more specific care for certain patients.

The main types of primary care providers include:

Family medicine doctor: Family medicine physicians possess the necessary skills and expertise to effectively address an extensive array of medical conditions, illnesses, and injuries in patients of all ages, ranging from infants to seniors. Additionally, they may possess specialized knowledge in pediatrics and obstetrics, enabling them to care for children's and women's unique health needs.

Internists: Internists–also known as internal medicine physicians–specialize in preventing, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect the inside of the body. These providers specialize in providing care for adults and helping patients manage long-term chronic conditions. For example, you might see an internist if you have high blood pressure or diabetes.

Pediatricians: Pediatricians are medical doctors who care for infants, children, and adolescents. They provide preventive health services such as immunizations and physical exams, diagnose illnesses, manage chronic conditions such as asthma or diabetes, treat injuries and infections, and offer advice on nutrition and exercise. Pediatricians also monitor their patient's growth and development throughout childhood to ensure they stay healthy into adulthood.

Physician assistants: Physician assistants (PAs) are medical professionals who work closely with physicians to provide patient care. PAs can perform various duties, including taking medical histories, conducting physical exams, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, diagnosing illnesses, prescribing medications, and developing treatment plans. They can also perform minor surgical procedures and educate patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In addition, PAs collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure coordinated care for their patients. They can work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, and emergency departments. PAs are highly trained and certified to practice medicine under the supervision of a licensed physician, making them an integral part of the healthcare team.

Obstetrician/ gynecologist: OB/GYNs (obstetrician-gynecologists) are medical professionals who specialize in diagnosing and treating women's reproductive health issues. They provide comprehensive care for various pregnancy, childbirth, and gynecological health conditions. For example, OB/GYNs can diagnose and treat diseases such as cervical cancer, infertility, endometriosis, urinary tract infections, and ovarian cysts. They also provide prenatal care throughout a woman’s pregnancy, including ultrasounds and guidance on nutrition and exercise during gestation. In addition to providing preventive screenings such as Pap smears or mammograms, OB/GYNs can perform minor surgeries like tubal ligations or hysterectomies. With their specialized knowledge of women's health issues and ability to form strong relationships with patients over time, OB/GYNs play an essential role in ensuring that women stay healthy throughout all stages of life.

What kinds of conditions do primary care providers treat?

Family medicine doctors offer various services to treat different conditions and concerns. However, as the first point of contact with the greater healthcare system, a primary care provider is usually the first visit for most people dealing with illness, injury, or a chronic problem (like diabetes or high blood pressure).

Some services offered by a PCP include:

• Acute illness (e.g., bacterial infection) treatment
  
• Chronic condition management such as diabetes, asthma, or high blood pressure
  
• Regular preventative care screenings and physical exams
  
• Minor injury treatment such as stitching a wound or setting a broken bone
  
• Treatment of common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, and ear infections
  
• Diagnosis and treatment for skin conditions such as acne, eczema, or rashes
  
• Immunizations
  
  

Some specific conditions that a PCP can treat include:

• Cold, flu, and other acute illnesses
  
• UTIs and other vaginal infections
  
• Rashes, warts, moles, and other skin conditions
  
• Erectile dysfunction (ED) or premature ejaculation (PE)
  
• Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
  
• High blood pressure
  
• High cholesterol
  
• Developmental disorders
  
• Depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions
  
  

Health Care in Texas

In the last decade, Texas has had the largest number of uninsured residents of any state in the US. While these rates have improved with the introduction of the Affordable Care Act, many adults and children are still without healthcare coverage in Texas. In addition, many people forego health care when uninsured, worrying that they don’t have the money to pay for medical services.

We’ve already explored the problems around America’s healthcare system and the dangers of skipping medical care. Primary care is crucial in helping Americans manage, treat, and prevent serious medical issues like cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Skipping primary care can have lasting consequences on your overall health and well-being.

Sesame is here to help. We work directly with health care providers to set fair and transparent prices. Whether you have insurance or not, care on Sesame often costs a fraction of what you would pay through an insurance network. Get started on your wellness journey and book a primary care visit on Sesame today.