What is a primary care physician (PCP)?
A primary care physician is a contracted physician (general or family practitioner, internist, pediatrician and sometimes obstetrician/gynecologist). HMOs use PCPs to serve as the initial screening, testing, treatment and referral source for members. Generally, the PCP assumes continuing responsibility for the overall course of treatment of the member. PCPs often act as gatekeepers for HMOs, determining if a member’s illness requires treatment by specialists, and/or hospital care. A member usually selects a network PCP at time of initial enrollment with an HMO and can change PCPs with prior notification to the HMO.
