3 / 6
things to know
Communication with your
Primary Care Provider
When it comes to health care, patients play a major
role. One way to embrace your health care journey
is by practicing good communication with your
Primary Care Provider (PCP). A clear and honest
communication between you and your PCP can
help you both build a safe connection. This means
you can voice your concerns and make informed
choices about your health care. We know that talking
with your PCP is not always easy. Below are some
questions that can help you and your PCP address
your health concerns during your visit.
Other tips:
■
■
Bring a list of all the medications that you are
taking.
■
■
Consider asking a friend or family member to go
with you.
■
■
If you have any special needs, let your PCP
know. This includes special medical needs such as
wheelchair access or interpreting services.
■
■
Ask what the office policy is for missed
appointments. Some offices will have a charge if you
miss an appointment.
Don’t miss your doctor visits
It’s one date you don’t
want to miss—your doctor
visit.
Getting all the checkups,
screenings and follow-ups
you need can help you stay
healthy.
Have a calendar handy
and write appointments
down as soon as you make
them. That can help you
remember when you have
one scheduled.
If you can’t make it to
an appointment, call your
doctor’s office as soon
as you can. This way, the
office can use the time to
schedule a visit for another
patient. And they can set
up a new day and time for
you.
If you miss three or more
visits in one year, the doctor
may decide not to see you
again. So try to keep your
appointments and show up
on time. Or call in advance
to reschedule if something
comes up. Keeping your
doctor visits is an
important part of staying
well.
Keep your
appointments and
win a $50 gift card.
You know that keeping
your doctor appointments
is part of staying healthy.
But now there’s another
reason to make sure you
keep your appointments.
Alliance members
who keep their doctor
appointments will be
entered into a drawing.
Each month the Alliance
will pick one member
from each county—Santa
Cruz, Monterey and
Merced—who will win a
gift card worth $50. You
are only eligible to win
if you have not missed a
doctor’s appointment in
the last six months. So be
sure to show up for your
appointments. You could
be a winner!
Question
Example
What am I seeing or
feeling that I want the
doctor to check?
My left ear aches each
time I blow my nose.
When did it begin?
It started about a week
ago when I first caught
a cold.
What makes it better
or worse?
It feels worse when I
blow my nose and feels
better in the morning
after I shower.
What questions do I
have and what worries
me?
When will I start to
feel better? Does the
medicine have side
effects?
3
living
healthy