Primary Care FAQs

Primary care is your first point of contact for everyday health needs, from routine check-ups and preventive screenings to managing ongoing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Your primary care doctor gets to know your health history over time, helps you stay well and connects you with the right specialists when you need them. Primary care physicians include family medicine doctors, internal medicine doctors and pediatricians, so you can find the right fit for yourself or your whole family.

Everyone benefits from a primary care physician. Adults, children and older adults all benefit from having a consistent point of contact for preventive care, chronic condition management and health screenings. A primary care physician coordinates care across your health system and connects you to specialists when needed.

An annual physical exam at Ochsner is a comprehensive examination performed by your primary care physician. During the exam, your doctor will:

• Review your medical history and any new symptoms or ongoing health concerns
• Check vital signs including blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and oxygen levels
• Perform a physical examination including heart, lungs, ears, eyes, nose and throat
• Recommend blood tests, urine tests or screenings based on your age, gender and risk factors
• Discuss vaccinations and lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise and sleep
• Screen for conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, bone density and certain cancers

A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a preventive service covered fully by Medicare for enrolled patients. It focuses on creating or updating a personalized prevention plan, reviewing medications, assessing fall and cognitive risks and screening for depression.

A primary care annual physical exam includes a physical exam, diagnostic testing and treatment when needed. A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit does not include a physical exam or treatment; it is centered solely on prevention and planning. If additional tests or treatments occur during the same visit as a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, those services may require additional payment.

Choosing a primary care physician is one of the most important decisions you can make for your long-term health. Here are practical steps to guide you:

• Check your insurance network for in-network doctors or providers to manage costs.
• Decide which type of physician fits your needs: family medicine, internal medicine or pediatrics.
• Seek referrals from friends, family or other healthcare professionals, and check verified patient reviews for insight into communication style and bedside manners.
• Choose a convenient location with hours that fit your schedule.
• Book an initial appointment to assess whether the physician's approach aligns with your preferences.

Ochsner primary care physicians are currently accepting new patients at locations across Louisiana and the Gulf South. Call 866–624–7637 or schedule online through MyOchsner.

What's the difference between the different types of care?

• Primary care is best for routine check-ups, chronic condition management, vaccinations, preventive care and health concerns that do not require immediate attention. Primary care creates an ongoing relationship with your doctor.
• Urgent care provides immediate treatment for non-life-threatening issues, such as minor injuries, infections or fever, when your primary care doctor is unavailable. Ochsner Urgent Care clinics operate on a walk-in basis with extended hours and weekend availability.
• The emergency room is designed for severe, life-threatening conditions including chest pain, difficulty breathing and major injuries. Emergency rooms offer advanced 24/7 care and diagnostics.

For medical questions outside of office hours, call Ochsner On Call, which is 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.

A Same-Day Video Visit at Ochsner connects you with a primary care physician by video, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, from anywhere in all 50 states. When you need care right away, you can speak with a doctor in minutes, no appointment or in-person visit required. It is a fast, convenient way to get expert guidance on everyday health concerns, wherever you are.

We have multiple locations throughout the Gulf South. These are our Ochsner primary care locations:

Louisiana:

• Greater New Orleans, Louisiana
• River Region, Louisiana
• Bayou Region, Louisiana
• Northshore, Louisiana
• Slidell, Louisiana
• Hammond, Louisiana
• Baton Rouge, Louisiana
• Lafayette, Louisiana
• Maurice, Louisiana
• Abbeville, Louisiana
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
• Eunice, Louisiana
• Shreveport, Louisiana
• Monroe, Louisiana

Mississippi:

• Bay St. Louis, Mississippi
• Collinsville, Mississippi
• Decatur, Mississippi
• DeKalb, Mississippi 
• Diamondhead, Mississippi 
• Gulfport, Mississippi 
• Lake, Mississippi 
• Long Beach, Mississippi 
• Marion, Mississippi 
• Meridian, Mississippi 
• Morton, Mississippi 
• Newton, Mississippi 
• Philadelphia, Mississippi
• Quitman, Mississippi 

Alabama:

• Butler, Alabama 
• Gilbertown, Alabama
• Livingston, Alabama

Florida:

• Pensacola, Florida

Georgia:

• Savannah, Georgia

South Carolina:

• Okatie, South Carolina

Ochsner Health also provides the option of Same-Day Video Visits in all 50 states. 

Ochsner Health offers the full range of primary care physicians: 

• Internal medicine doctors typically treat patients 18 years and older. They focus on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult diseases, including complex chronic conditions.
• Family medicine doctors provide comprehensive care for patients of all ages, from newborns to older adults, and build long-term relationships with patients and their families.
• General pediatricians provide primary care for children from infancy through 18 years of age.

All three types of primary care physicians focus on care, diagnosis and treatment. Their key difference is the age group they serve. Family medicine is best suited for patients who want a doctor for the entire family or throughout life, while internal medicine works best for adults seeking a specialist in adult chronic disease management.

Primary care providers at Ochsner also include nurse practitioners and physician assistants, expanding access and availability for patients.

At many Ochsner primary care clinics, on-site resources include licensed clinical counselors, clinical social workers, diabetes educators, nutritionists and smoking cessation counselors, all available to support your whole-person health.

Ochsner primary care physicians provide a broad range of services for patients of all ages:

• General health exams and complete physical exams
• Chronic disease diagnosis and management (diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease)
• Health risk assessments and preventive screenings
• Medication management and prescription refills
• Annual flu shots and immunizations
• Seasonal allergy treatment
• Referral to specialists and outpatient therapies
• Mental health support, including management of anxiety and depression
• Women's health services, including Pap smears and breast exams
• Newborn and well-child care
• Geriatric care for older adults
• Lab tests, joint injections and minor in-office procedures

Ochsner primary care services are available both in person, Same-Day Virtual Visits and through MyOchsner. Use MyOchsner to message your care team, schedule appointments and request medication refills.

Ochsner 65 Plus

Ochsner 65 Plus is a program for adults age 65 and older that offers customized primary care, nutrition and fitness coaching and community events. Same-day and next-day appointments are often available, in person or online.

Ochsner Community Health

Ochsner Community Health provides comprehensive, personalized care with convenient locations across Louisiana, offering both primary and specialty care services for you and your family in one place.

Ochsner Concierge Health

Ochsner Concierge Health is a membership-based model, also called concierge medicine or concierge care, that gives patients direct, personalized access to a board-certified primary care physician for an annual membership fee.

Ochsner International Health Services

Ochsner International Health Services provides world-class care to patients traveling to the United States for specialized healthcare. Concierge services ensure a seamless experience, from scheduling appointments to meeting cultural and logistical preferences.

First, contact your pharmacy. If you are out of refills, contact your doctor's office to see if additional refills are available or whether an appointment is needed for evaluation.

Yes. Ochsner primary care physicians offer MyOchsner Virtual Visits by advance scheduling with your care team. Ochsner also offers Same-Day Video Visits with immediate access to a primary care physician outside of your care team. Virtual visits are covered by most major insurance plans at the same cost as an in-person visit. 

Ochsner Health works with most major insurance plans. Contact your nearest Ochsner Health Center directly or call 866–624–7637 to confirm coverage before scheduling. You can also view insurances accepted at Ochsner here.

The Ochsner Digital Medicine program offers remote monitoring and medication adjustment for patients managing high blood pressure or diabetes. More than 60,000 patients have used this program to receive support between visits. Learn more and enroll here.

You can also schedule a virtual visit with your provider.