Are you new to the CalPERS Health Program, did you recently move, or switch health plans? Your next step is connecting with a new primary care physician, or PCP.
What Role Does My PCP Play?
Along with staying physically active and eating a healthy diet, taking care of you includes building a strong, long-term relationship with your PCP.
Your primary PCP is usually your first point of contact when you have a health concern or question. Their main role is to help you stay healthy and prevent minor issues from becoming serious. By seeing your PCP regularly, they get to know you and can notice any changes in your health.
Routine checkups, screenings, and tests can help detect hidden health problems or prevent diseases. These visits also make it possible to catch illnesses early, when treatment is often simpler and more effective, leading to better results after diagnosis.
This is especially valuable for older adults, who often see multiple doctors and specialists. Your PCP can oversee your overall care, organize information from different providers, and explain everything in clear, simple terms.
All CalPERS plans recommend you choose your own PCP — if you do not select one, the plan will match you to one. Your PCP serves as the coordinating center of your health care — seeing the whole picture, connecting physical and emotional well-being, managing referrals, understanding your history, focusing on prevention, advocating for your needs, and ultimately improving your long-term health.
Here are six tips to find the right doctor for you.
1. Check Your Health Plan Provider Directory
Finding an in-network provider is essential because it helps lower your healthcare costs, ensures your services are covered by your health plan, and protects you from surprise billing. It also makes it easier for your providers to communicate and coordinate your care, resulting in smoother and more effective treatment across your healthcare team. For questions or additional help, contact your plan’s member-services department.
2. Look for Experience That Fits Your Health Needs
Choosing a provider with experience who aligns with your specific health needs is important because they understand the conditions, treatments, and challenges relevant to you, allowing them to make accurate diagnoses, create effective treatment plans, and anticipate potential complications.
Equally important is considering your personal preferences — such as communication style, gender, or approach to care — because feeling comfortable and understood helps you communicate openly, follow recommendations, and build a trusting, long-term relationship that supports better health outcomes. This ensures you get the guidance and support you need, especially for chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
3. Check for Availability and Access
It’s key to choose a provider who is conveniently located and easy to access. Make sure they offer timely appointment availability and the type of visits you prefer, whether in-person or virtual. Checking access and availability ensures you can receive care when you need it. If you have questions, call the provider’s office to learn more about appointment options and additional communication tools, such as portals for labs and the ability to message your doctor.
4. Make Contact
Once you’ve chosen a doctor you’d like to move forward with, call their office to make sure they’re accepting new patients and accepting your health plan.
5. Check the License
The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) licenses and oversees doctors, nurses, and other medical and behavioral health practitioners in our state. Verify professionals’ licenses by using DCA’s online license search tool or by calling (800) 952-5210. Make sure the health care practitioner is licensed in good standing and review any information found on the licensee’s profile page.
The Medical Board of California also offers a free mobile app just for verifying doctors’ licenses. For a license checkup on a medical professional outside of California, contact the state’s medical licensing board for assistance.
6. Trust Yourself
When it comes to your health and wellness, intuition (paired with research) can be your best friend. If you feel a doctor is not right for you, trust your instincts; your health plan offers many other providers.
Doctors are our partners on our personal health care journeys, and the right one can make all the difference for both your health and your peace of mind. For more information on finding a doctor, contact your CalPERS health plan directly.