What to Know When Transitioning to a New Primary Care Physician
You may find yourself transitioning to a new Primary Care Physician (PCP) if your current doctor is retiring or for a range of other reasons. If so, our team has some pointers to help ensure the switch to your new doctor is seamless.
Notify your health insurance company.
If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, it’s important that you promptly share your PCP change with your health insurance company. The doctor’s office does not provide your new physician’s information to your health insurance company; you are responsible for notifying your insurance company of the change, which affects insurance claims processing, network coverage status, and insurance card details.
When you contact your insurance company, they will be able to review details relevant to the change, such as confirming if the doctor is in-network. Note that your insurance company only needs to be notified of a PCP change if you are on a Medicare Advantage Plan, not a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Once Your PCP is Updated
Once your insurance company has updated your PCP’s information in their system, they will issue a new insurance card that reflects the change. Since insurance cards include your copay amount and PCP’s name, it’s important to have an accurate card to present at your doctor’s office. By sharing this update with your insurance company, you can avoid problematic situations, such as potentially paying a higher copay for an office visit or learning for the first time that your new PCP is considered out-of-network.
Keep in mind that when scheduling an appointment with your new doctor, it’s important to share the specific name of your Medicare Advantage plan and re-confirm if the doctor’s office accepts it.
We’re here to help!
We want to ensure you experience a smooth transition if you change PCPs. If you have questions about switching PCPs or would like assistance when contacting your health insurance company, we’re here to help. Call our team of client advisors at 877.222.1942 or schedule a call here. We will call your insurance company with you and guide the conversation. If you opt to contact your insurance company directly, please also contact our team to share your new PCP’s details so we can ensure your records are accurate in our system. Having up-to-date information allows us to provide the best support possible when we assist you with any future billing issues or plan-related questions.
If you’re not currently a RetireMed client and have questions about Medicare or individual health insurance, we can help! Schedule a call or contact us at 937.915.3563.
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