Primary care is a basic necessity

How a primary care provider can help you

Everyone needs a primary care provider. This is someone who can provide you with basic medical care, give you an annual physical, refer you to specialists and coordinate care between them. Whoever provides you with primary care can be a doctor, a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

A good primary care provider should offer a broad range of services at extended hours. These services should include urgent medical care and any vaccinations you or your family may need, including those that are sometimes needed for overseas travel. The provider should also offer physicals — annual physicals for everyone, and specialized physicals for athletes and students going back to school or to college. Look for a primary care facility that has its own clinical lab. This will save time if you ever need lab work done.

The best primary care provider in Germantown, MD

The best primary care provider in the Germantown area is Germantown Primary Care Associates, serving patients in Montgomery County, Germantown, Gaithersburg and Hyattstown. Dr. Manbir Takhar is the Chief Medical Officer. When going there for the first time, be sure to bring your insurance card and a picture ID. You should also bring a list of whatever medications you take, along with the dosage of these medications, any recent test results you have received from other physicians, and whatever other information you think may be useful to them. Download a copy of the registration form from their Web site for your first visit — this will speed up the process of checking in. You will not need to do this for later visits. Make an appointment today.