Having a medical doctor near you helps you get the best treatment for health conditions or illnesses when they first appear. They can also help prevent health issues from getting worse by doing regular tests and screenings. Most health insurance plans cover these visits 100%, even high-deductible ones. The more often you see your PCP for routine care, the better chance you have of catching health problems early and keeping them from becoming more serious.
When choosing a medical doctor near you, think about your health needs and the age range of your family members. Depending on these factors, you can choose a physician who specializes in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or obstetrics and gynecology.
Family doctors are licensed physicians who treat patients of all ages. This means that you can have the same doctor for your entire family — from babies to parents to grandparents. They are experts in managing both common and complex diseases for adults, children, and teens. Family doctors can also provide specialized services for women, men, and seniors.
Internists, or internal medicine doctors, are licensed physicians who focus on adult health. They are trained to treat both simple and complex diseases that typically affect adults, like diabetes and high blood pressure. They can also manage chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and arthritis.
OB-GYNs are licensed physicians who specialize in female reproductive health and can be found practicing within a primary care clinic or in a specialty office. They are expert in performing routine women’s health tests and screenings, including Pap tests and pelvic exams. They can also guide patients through milestones, such as pregnancy and menopause.
Dr. Tammy Leopold, MD, is a board certified family medicine specialist at NYU Langone Ambulatory Care West Side and a clinical instructor at Elaine A. and Kenneth G. Langone Medical Center. She completed the 2013 CMS Stage 1 EHR and trained at Thomas Jefferson University and Beth Israel Cancer Center. A member of the American Academy of Family Physicians and a Castle Connolly top New York City doctor, she is known for her thorough consultations and good bedside manners, earning 4.5 stars on Zocdoc for patient satisfaction. She earned her MD from Universitas Gadjah Mada in Indonesia and completed her residency at Mount Sinai Beth Israel.