Choosing a Primary Care Physician
Finding a Doctor
Choosing a primary care provider is an important part of getting settled in a new community. In southeastern Wisconsin, most primary care physicians and other providers are affiliated with one of the region’s major health systems, giving patients access to extensive networks of specialists, hospitals, urgent care centers, diagnostic services and other medical resources.
When choosing a provider, consider location, health-system affiliation, insurance coverage, specialty and appointment availability. Primary care may be provided by family medicine physicians, internal medicine physicians, pediatricians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Some health systems also offer virtual primary care and same- or next-day appointments.
Start With Your Insurance
Before selecting a physician, check your health insurance provider’s online directory or contact the insurer to make sure the physician and health system are in-network. A physician may practice within a particular health system but not participate in every insurance plan offered by that system.
Find a Primary Care Provider
Southeastern Wisconsin’s major health systems offer online physician directories that allow you to search by specialty, location and other preferences. Many provider profiles include professional backgrounds, areas of interest, languages spoken and, in some cases, introductory videos and online appointment scheduling. Aurora, for example, specifically allows patients to consider location, specialty, language and other preferences when choosing primary care.
| Health System | Find a Provider |
|---|---|
| Aurora Health Care | Find an Aurora doctor |
| Ascension Wisconsin | Find an Ascension doctor |
| Children’s Wisconsin | Find a Children’s Wisconsin provider |
| Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin | Find a Froedtert & MCW doctor |
| Medical College of Wisconsin | Medical College of Wisconsin |
| ProHealth Care | Find a ProHealth Care provider |
Froedtert & MCW’s directory, for example, allows newcomers to search by condition, treatment, specialty, physician and location and also offers online scheduling for many primary-care appointments.
Comparing Health Care Quality
The Wisconsin Collaborative for Healthcare Quality (WCHQ) is a clinician-led statewide organization that collects and reports health-care quality data. Its public reports cover areas such as preventive care, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer screening and other measures and can provide additional perspective when evaluating health care in Wisconsin.