Primary Care (Internal Medicine)

At Ochsner, our primary care providers work with nurse practitioners and physician assistants to increase your access to care.

Many Ochsner primary care clinics also offer additional on-site resources, such as licensed clinical counselors or clinical social workers who provide cognitive behavioral therapy (talk therapy). Additionally, we support your wellness goals with services from diabetes educators, nutritionists and smoking cessation counselors.

Your primary care provider may also be able to meet with you virtually through a MyOchsner Virtual Visit. These convenient appointments are available by scheduling in advance and are covered by most major insurance plans at the same cost as an in-person visit. For even more flexibility, E-Visit Messages allow you to share your symptoms through MyOchsner using a detailed questionnaire. Your responses, coupled with your medical history, enable your care team to provide a diagnosis and recommend treatment.

For immediate care of non-emergency illnesses and injuries, Ochsner Urgent Care clinics are ready to assist you.

We understand that your priority is to get healthy. When you are healthy, your priority is to stay healthy. That is why our team practices preventive medicine and proactive care by promoting healthy living, wellness activities, weight management, smoking cessation and community activities. We provide the following services:

• General health exams and screenings
• Complete physical exams
• Chronic disease diagnosis and management
• Health risk assessments
• Medication management
• Annual flu shots and other immunizations
• Seasonal allergy treatment
• Referral to specialists and outpatient therapies

We also help patients manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Ochsner 65 Plus is a great program for adults over 65 that gives you your own kind of healthcare, offers customized primary care, nutrition and fitness coaching and community events.

At Ochsner 65 Plus, our top-notch doctors work with you to achieve your health goals. You'll get plenty of time to talk one-on-one with your doctor, who will work with a team to create a health plan that's all yours. If you're part of Ochsner 65 Plus, you'll have easy access to hundreds of health services and resources from Ochsner Health. Looking for quick care? We often have appointments available on the same day or the next, whether you want to come in person or chat online.

At Ochsner Community Health, we take a comprehensive approach to care with your unique health needs in mind. With convenient locations across the state, each center tailors its services to its patients, expanding access to primary and specialty care services for you and your family, all in one place.

Our providers are dedicated to building a lasting relationship with you and ensuring you receive personalized, continuous care tailored to your unique health needs.

Ochsner Concierge Health is personalized healthcare, just for you. Concierge health, also called concierge medicine or concierge care, is a growing alternative to traditional primary care.

For an annual membership fee, our board-certified primary care physicians will guide you on your personal health and wellness journey, providing unparalleled access and specialized care.

Ochsner International Health Services provides world-class care to patients traveling to the U.S. for specialized healthcare. With access to advanced treatments and the expertise of a multidisciplinary team, Ochsner offers innovative therapies and personalized care tailored to each patient's needs.

Concierge services ensure a seamless experience, from scheduling appointments to meeting cultural and logistical preferences. Every aspect is designed to deliver exceptional care in a welcoming, patient-centered environment, making Ochsner a trusted partner for your health journey.

Ochsner Connected Anywhere offers access to urgent care from your smartphone, tablet or computer. On-demand virtual urgent care is available 24/7 for symptoms such as allergies, fever, pinkeye, rashes, sinus problems and stomachache. Our board-certified providers will assess your condition, offer a diagnosis and treatment plan and prescribe medication.

Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to coordinate care to make reaching your health goals easier. We have advanced practice providers who will give you the personalized care you need to achieve your goals. We offer a variety of programs and specialties, such as:

• Digital Medicine
• Behavioral health services
• Diabetes Care and Education
• Preventive Medicine Outreach, where our clinical care coordinators remind patients about upcoming or overdue health screenings
• Ochsner Fitness Center
• Weight loss management
• Smoking cessation

Ochsner primary care has a five-star rating from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, which ranks primary care doctors based on experience, effectiveness and access to primary care, among other criteria. We are dedicated to providing the best possible primary care to the communities we serve and are proud of receiving a five-star rating, which is the highest possible score.

Ochsner Primary Care physicians play a vital role in the Ochsner Accountable Care Network (ACO), collaborating with more than 3,200 healthcare providers across four states to deliver high-quality, coordinated care, making it the largest ACO in Louisiana.

Primary care physicians include internal medicine doctors, family medicine physicians and general pediatricians. All three types are similar in that they focus on care, diagnosis and treatment. However, they differ in who they treat. Internal medicine doctors typically treat patients 18 years and older. General pediatricians provide primary care for children from infancy to 18 years of age. As the name suggests, family medicine specialists treat the whole family (children and adults).

Recently, the field of primary care has expanded to include preventive medicine, screenings and population health for common conditions like hypertension and diabetes. Our clinics are configured as a medical home that includes non-physician practitioners, behavioral health specialists, diabetes educators and dietitians.

Everyone! The role of our primary care team is to be your first point of contact whenever a health issue arises. An adult’s primary care doctor may be a family medicine- or an internal medicine-trained doctor. Family medicine doctors or pediatricians can provide primary care for children. Ochsner has the full range of primary care doctors.

To stay healthy, it's important to schedule a yearly checkup with your regular doctor for routine exams, blood tests, vaccinations and assistance with any persistent health issues. If you're feeling sick, like with a cold or the flu, you can go to an Ochsner Urgent Care or use virtual urgent care instead of waiting for your regular doctor's appointment.

For medical questions, call Ochsner On Call, a free 24/7 nurse care line, at 1-800-231-5257 or 1-504-842-3155.

For emergencies, call 911 or visit your closest emergency room.

First, contact your pharmacy. If you are out of refills with your pharmacy, speak with your doctor’s office to see if additional refills are available now or if you need to make an appointment to be evaluated for a refill.

An E-Visit Message is a convenient feature in the MyOchsner patient portal. Ochsner primary care patients can answer questions about certain non-urgent health conditions and get a diagnosis and treatment plan from their provider within 24 hours.

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A primary care annual physical exam is a comprehensive examination performed by your primary care provider.

During your exam, your healthcare provider will assess your overall health by:

• Reviewing your medical history and asking for any new symptoms or ongoing health concerns
• Check your vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen levels
• A physical examination which includes checking heart and lungs, examining ears, eyes, nose and throat. They may also feel your stomach for any abnormalities. Depending on age and medical history, they may also check reflexes, skin and physical appearance.
• Depending on your age, gender and risk factors, your doctor might recommend blood tests, urine tests, or screenings for conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, or certain cancers.
• Your doctor may discuss vaccinations, lifestyle habits (like diet, exercise and sleep) and ways to prevent illnesses based on your health and family history.

A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive healthcare service provided to patients enrolled in Medicare. It is designed to create or update a personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors. This visit typically includes the following:

• Reviewing your medical history and current providers.
• Updating your list of medications.
• Assessing risk factors like fall risks and cognitive impairments.
• Screening for depression or other mental health conditions.
• Creating or updating a preventive care plan, including scheduling screenings or immunizations.
• Reviewing advanced care planning options, such as setting up a living will.

Medicare Annual Visits focus specifically on preventive care and are designed to identify risks and prevent illness, while primary care physical exam encompasses both prevention and the management of ongoing health concerns.

A primary care annual physical exam generally includes a physical exam, diagnostic testing and treatment when needed. Medicare Annual Wellness Visits do not include physical exams or treatment but are centered solely on prevention and planning.

Medicare fully covers the Annual Wellness Visit as a preventive service under your benefits. However, if additional tests or treatments are performed during the same visit, those services may require payment. Most insurance plans cover primary care annual visits, but costs can vary based on your plan and what is included in the visit.

An annual physical exam normally takes between 30-45 minutes depending on your overall health. Age, preexisting conditions and a request for extra screenings can add on to it.

To get the most out of your annual physical exam, make a list of what you’d like to speak to your doctor about. This list can include:

• Any symptoms or health concerns
• List of both prescription and over-the-counter medications, especially if anything new has been added
• Asking about any recommended tests or treatments
• Lifestyle changes or recommendations

Depending on your overall health, goals and concerns, your doctor may suggest follow-up tests, visits to a specialist or lifestyle changes. The exact steps can vary depending on your age, gender, and health needs, but the goal is to ensure you're staying healthy and addressing any issues early.

Depending on age, medical history and risk factors, your doctor may check for:

• High blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar
• Cancer screening
• Weight
• Bone Density