How to choose a primary care provider for your child or teen

A primary care provider is your child or teen’s first point-of-contact for health care. They provide well-child check-ups, immunizations, routine screenings, care for your child’s chronic health conditions, and care for your child when they’re sick. In addition to providing primary care, your provider can recommend and write referrals to specialists when your child needs more specialized care.

It’s important to choose a primary care provider before your child gets sick or needs to see a doctor, so you’re prepared and know who to call when the inevitable illness or minor injury occurs. A primary care provider will see your child or adolescent frequently over time and develop a relationship with them as they continue to grow and develop.

Here are the most important points to consider as you search for a provider who will best meet the needs of your child and family.

Check your coverage

Laurel Ries, MD, a family physician with obstetrics at M Health Fairview Clinic – Rice Street, recommends families start by checking with their insurance plans to see which caregivers are covered. This is an important first step since some providers may not be covered by your insurance or may cost more if they are out-of-network. When you’ve narrowed down your list to a few top choices, you may want to do a final check with your insurance company or even call the provider directly to confirm coverage.

You can search M Health Fairview’s providers by the type of insurance they accept here. Use the drop-down menu under “Insurance Accepted” to sort for providers that are in-network.

Choose a provider with the right expertise

There are different types of primary care providers to consider when choosing care for your child or adolescent, and children may need to move to a different type of provider as they grow older.

• Pediatricians are doctors who care for children and adolescents. They are familiar with a wide range of childhood conditions and developmental milestones and serve as primary care providers for children from birth to adulthood. They are also experienced in communicating with kids and understand how to help them feel comfortable when visiting the doctor.
• Family medicine physicians are doctors who can care for all members of the family, including babies, children, and teens. Choosing a family medicine doctor is a convenient choice for families who want to simplify care by seeing just one doctor. With one trusted source who knows your family’s medical history, a family medicine provider can care for your child and the whole family.
• Family medicine obstetric physicians, also known as “FMOBs” are doctors dedicated to family care across the lifetime. They offer primary care for the whole family, while also specializing in women’s healthcare care. This may be helpful if you have an adolescent or young adult who is ready to see a specialist for reproductive health services like pelvic exams, PAP screenings, and contraceptive care.
• Obstetricians/gynecologists are doctors who specialize in women’s health, specifically female reproductive health, and can also provide general primary care for adolescents or young adults who may be ready to see an OB-GYN for reproductive health services.
• Nurse practitioners and physician assistants who work in primary care settings are a great option for families looking for a provider for their child. They may have more availability in their schedule and shorter wait times than some primary care doctors.

Do a little research

Once you have decided on the type of provider your child needs, the next step is to do some research to narrow your search down to your top choices.

“I would first recommend reaching out to friends or family that currently go to the clinic you plan to go to and find out who they see, if they recommend them, and if so, why they do,” said Jeremy Peterson, MD, an M Health Fairview family medicine physician and health advisor for the Princeton School District.

References from people you know can be an excellent way to find a provider who has a track record of providing compassionate care to kids. You can also ask health professionals that you have an existing relationship with for referrals or recommendations.

It also may be helpful to think about your child’s personality, communication skills, and developmental stage, and which providers might connect best with them.

Consider logistics

When completing research on providers, it’s important to consider the practical aspects of your top choices. For example, are they currently accepting new patients?

“There is a work force shortage in healthcare right now which is making it increasingly difficult to get in to see physicians on short notice,” said Ries. “For all of your healthcare needs, it is important to schedule early. Ask about their partners, as you may need to see others in the group when your physician is gone or unavailable.”

Consider where the provider practices and how close it is to your home, office, or school. Some providers see patients in multiple locations, so be sure to look at the different clinics where patients can be seen to determine if they are convenient.

If your family has special language needs, consider which providers speak your child’s preferred language. The M Health Fairview provider search has an option to sort by language here.

Trust your gut

When choosing a primary care provider for your child or teen, it’s important to review check in with your feelings about the provider. It should feel right to both you and your child, especially as they grow older and take more responsibility for their own health.

One of the best ways to get a feel for whether you’ve chosen the right provider is to visit their office for an initial appointment. Does the doctor listen to your concerns and answer your questions? Do they take the time to observe and communicate with your child? If you’re unhappy or unsure with your choice, take the time to visit a few other providers on your short list to find the professional that’s best for your child and family.

“Providers are humans, just like their patients. Everyone has a different style, and it is important that your personality style fits the provider you are seeing,” Peterson said. “If not, then it is OK to move on and see if you have a better fit with a different provider.”