You may receive care from a number of different medical professionals, who work together to help you stay healthy. Here’s a look at who they are and what they do.

Primary care providers:

• Give regular check-ups.
• Provide care for illnesses, most chronic conditions, and minor injuries.
• Refer to specialists when needed and coordinate care with specialists.
• Include physicians such as family doctors, internists, pediatricians, and geriatricians.
• May also be a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Nurse practitioners:

• May serve as a primary care provider or work with specialists.
• Work with a doctor to give medical care.
• Focus on a specific area of nursing, such as pediatrics or family practice.
• Give a wide range of healthcare services and write prescriptions.

Physician assistants:

• May serve as a primary care provider or work with specialists.
• Work closely with a doctor to give medical care.
• Give a wide range of healthcare services and write prescriptions.

Case managers:

• May be a nurse, social worker, or behavioral health professional.
• Assist with difficult medical issues or illnesses that require ongoing care, like diabetes.
• Work with doctors to help you follow treatment plans.
• Help you find useful services through your plan and the community.

Behavioral health professionals:

• Treat emotional and mental health, including drug and alcohol abuse.
• Include social workers, psychologists, mental health counselors, marriage and family therapists, and some nurse practitioners.
• Include psychiatrists as well, who are also medical doctors.

Specialists:

• Include medical doctors with special training in one part or system of the body, such as cardiologists (heart doctors).
• Include medical professionals such as physical therapists and optometrists.
• May treat certain illnesses, such as oncologists who treat patients with cancer.

Pharmacists:

• Are medication experts.
• Answer questions you have about your medications.
• Give you advice on how to take your medication.
• Can work with you and your doctor to help you find less expensive medications.