Primary Care (Family Medicine and Internal Medicine)

At Ochsner, primary care physicians provide patient care in person and through MyOchsner. Using MyOchsner, you can message your care team, schedule appointments and submit medical refill requests wherever you are.

A few services offered through orimary care physicians include:

• Annual physical exams, which can provide a good basis for determining your overall health. For women, these physical exams may include Pap tests and pelvic and breast exams. Men may undergo prostate and other specific screenings.
• Care for ongoing problems, such as diabetes, obesity, pain, high blood pressure and other medical issues
• Care for short-term illnesses, such as colds, flu, ear infections or rashes
• Flu shots, allergy injections and immunizations to help prevent various illnesses
• Joint injections, which may offer relief from inflammation and pain
• Lab tests, which are blood or urine tests that can monitor your good health or diagnose a medical condition. Family medicine physicians perform many tests on-site.
• Newborn and well-child care that helps keep your little ones on track with immunizations while providing parents insight into maintaining their child’s health
• Physical exams for students that help ensure your child is physically prepared to return to school or participate in sports, summer camps or other activities
• Preventive care, health screening and physical exams, which are provided for people of all ages and help the whole family maintain optimal health

Additionally, many of our family medicine physicians handle in-office procedures, such as cyst removal and provide hands-on manipulation therapy for back pain and other ailments.

At Ochsner, we make coordination simple. With our systemwide electronic medical records integration, every lab test, X-ray and treatment is available to your entire care team instantly. This seamless system allows your doctor to communicate directly with specialists, ensuring everyone is aligned and providing individualized care tailored to your needs.

For added convenience, Ochsner primary care services are available both in-person and online through MyOchsner. Use our secure online platform to:

• Message your care team
• Schedule appointments
• Refill medications

Wherever you are, MyOchsner keeps you connected to the care you need.

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.

Primary care providers are your go-to healthcare professionals for a wide range of services aimed at maintaining your overall health and well-being. Here’s what they typically offer:

• Routine check-ups and physical exams
• Vaccinations and immunizations
• Health screenings (e.g., blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes)
• Lifestyle counseling (e.g., diet, exercise, smoking cessation)
• Diagnosis and treatments
• Managing common illnesses (e.g., colds, flu, infections)
• Treating chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, asthma)
• Addressing minor injuries (e.g., sprains, cuts)
• Monitoring ongoing health issues
• Coordinating care with specialists
• Managing medications and prescriptions
• Pediatric care for children
• Geriatric care for older adults
• Women’s health services (e.g., Pap smears, birth control counseling)
• Mental health support (e.g., managing anxiety, depression)

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

Primary care focuses on long-term health management, offering routine check-ups, chronic condition management, vaccinations and preventive care through scheduled appointments, fostering an ongoing relationship with patients. Urgent care provides immediate treatment for non-life-threatening issues like minor injuries, infections or fevers when primary care isn’t available, operating on a walk-in basis with extended hours. The emergency room is designed for severe, life-threatening conditions such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or major injuries, offering 24/7 advanced care and diagnostics. While primary care is ideal for routine and preventive needs, urgent care handles moderate issues requiring quick attention and the ER is reserved for critical emergencies.

Choosing a primary care physician is an important decision for your long-term health. Here are some key steps to help you find the right fit: 

1. Check Your Insurance Network for in-network providers.  
2. Decide what type of primary care physician suits you best.
3. Seek referrals from friends, family or other healthcare professionals for trusted providers. Check online reviews or patient testimonials to get insights into the doctor’s communication style, bedside manner, and office environment.
4. Choose a doctor whose office is conveniently located and offers hours that fit your schedule.
5. Book an initial appointment to see if the doctor’s approach to care aligns with your preferences. Pay attention to how they listen, explain and involve you in decision-making.

A family medicine doctor provides comprehensive healthcare for people and families of all ages. They are trained to manage a wide range of health conditions, including preventive care, acute illnesses and chronic diseases. With expertise in areas like pediatrics, adult medicine and geriatrics, they offer personalized care tailored to each patient's needs. Family medicine doctors also focus on building long-term relationships, ensuring continuity of care and a holistic approach to your overall health and well-being.

Ochsner Family Medicine offers a wide range of services, including preventive health screenings, chronic disease management, medication access, annual check-ups and care for acute illnesses. Our providers focus on personalized, comprehensive care for patients of all ages.