Having a medical provider you trust is essential to the overall health and wellness of your entire family. In addition to feeling comfortable with a trusted physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner during your annual exams, you’ll also have someone to turn to in the event of an urgent medical need, such as the flu or an unexpected rash. Below, learn why a family health care expert is the best person to call for most of your healthcare situations.

What Are the Benefits of Having a Family Health Care Professional?

Long-Term Doctor & Patient Relationship

Having a trusted family healthcare provider is extremely beneficial to the health of your household. Since they treat patients of all ages, they understand the human body’s life cycle and have the ability to see you throughout your own life span. This familiarity creates a comfort level that enables an open line of communication, helping your doctor provide the most accurate and appropriate treatment.

Preventative Care

Having a long-term relationship with a medical provider you trust is also beneficial in catching potential health issues early on. A family health care professional will be well-versed in your family’s medical history and will thus be more inclined to notice when something seems amiss. Having a family medical provider that you feel comfortable with also increases the likelihood that you will routinely schedule your yearly exam, further improving your chances of maintaining a clean bill of health each year.

Reduced Costs & Wait Times

Lastly, a family practice medical provider can reduce the cost of your family’s medical bills. While the ER and urgent care facilities are intended to help attend to true medical emergencies, many patients visit them for less serious issues. If they have a family provider who is familiar with their health history, they can generally call them directly instead. Not only will this alleviate wait times, but it will also save patients a great deal in costs. Depending on your insurance provider and plan, the copay for visiting a general practitioner versus an ER or urgent care is significantly less.

Looking for a reliable family health care practitioner in your area? The team of friendly medical professionals at Mille Lacs Health System provides expert care for patients of all ages in the Onamia community of Minnesota. Voted 2018 Women’s Choice Award for America’s Best Hospitals for Emergency Care, their comprehensive hospital facility also provides outpatient therapy, surgical services, and in-home care and full-service assisted senior living programs. Give them a call today at (320) 532-3154 or visit them online to schedule an appointment at one of their convenient neighborhood clinics located in Isle, Garrison, Hillman, and on the main campus in Onamia.