US Medical Term · departments
Primary Care Provider (PCP)
Médico de Atención Primaria
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Primary Care Provider (PCP) |
| Spanish (Español) | Médico de Atención Primaria |
| Chinese (中文) | 初级保健医生 |
| Korean (한국어) | 주치의 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Bác sĩ chăm sóc sức khỏe ban đầu |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Pangunahing Doktor |
| Portuguese (Português) | Médico de Atenção Primária |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | แพทย์เวชปฏิบัติทั่วไป |
| Japanese (日本語) | かかりつけ医（プライマリケアプロバイダー） |
What it means
A Primary Care Provider (PCP) is a physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant who serves as a patient's main healthcare contact for routine and preventive care. PCPs handle annual wellness visits, manage chronic conditions, prescribe medications, and coordinate referrals to specialists. Under HMO plans, designating a PCP is required and the PCP serves as the gatekeeper to specialized care. PCPs may be family medicine doctors, general internists, or pediatricians.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I need to choose a PCP under my HMO plan before my coverage starts next month.
Necesito elegir un PCP bajo mi plan HMO antes de que mi cobertura comience el próximo mes.
My PCP referred me to a cardiologist and submitted the paperwork to my insurance company.
Mi PCP me derivó a un cardiólogo y envió el papeleo a mi compañía de seguros.
Can my PCP manage my diabetes and high blood pressure, or should I see a specialist?
¿Puede mi PCP controlar mi diabetes y presión arterial alta, o debería ver a un especialista?
Where you'll see it
Related terms
Related guide
→ US Guide: finding a primary care doctorSources
Last reviewed: September 2026