Primary Care (Internal Medicine)

If your primary care doctor is unavailable, you can see other members of your care team, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants. You also have access to a large network of subspecialists within Ochsner to assist with any procedures or specialized care you may need.

In many Ochsner primary care clinics, a licensed clinical counselor or clinical social worker can provide cognitive behavioral therapy (talk therapy). We also have diabetes educators, nutritionists and smoking cessation counselors.

Sometimes, your provider may be able to see you virtually during a visit through MyOchsner. Virtual primary care visits are offered by appointment. The cost is the same as an in-person visit, as covered by your insurance. We accept most major insurances.

Ochsner Digital Medicine is a program that allows you to take control of high blood pressure and/or Type 2 diabetes with guidance, support and monitoring from home. Our digital medicine care teams include a health coach and a pharmacist who use digital tools, such as wireless blood pressure and blood sugar monitors, to track patients’ health progress and adjust medications as needed without the need for extra office visits. Health coaches can also make personalized recommendations about diet and exercise. This frequent contact with team members helps keep you motivated and on track.

A comprehensive program for adults over 65, Ochsner 65 Plus offers customized primary care, nutrition and fitness coaching and community events.

Ochsner primary care has a five-star rating from the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, which ranks primary care doctors based on experience, effectiveness and access to primary care, among other criteria. We are dedicated to providing the best possible primary care to the communities we serve and are proud of receiving a five-star rating, which is the highest possible score.

Overview

The Primary Care program at Ochsner provides comprehensive care in a welcoming environment. From routine checkups and immunizations to health screenings and chronic disease management, our team of more than 200 primary care physicians and 80 advanced practice providers is dedicated to providing patients of all ages and backgrounds with the best care. We also serve as a triage center so that our patients can receive the care they need, when they need it. Our facilities are conveniently located across the Gulf South. They are equipped with the latest technology, including cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Epic® and Microsoft®, to treat patients more proactively. Learn more about our cloud and AI technology.

All of our specialties at Ochsner are integrated. Our multidisciplinary approach means that all of the members of your healthcare team communicate and work together to provide you with the best care possible. If you need specialty care, your primary care doctor can connect you with a specialist. As a patient, you won’t have to worry about remembering the details from your specialty care appointments because the specialist will share detailed notes, treatment plans and any orders requested with your primary care doctor. Wherever you go in the Ochsner network, your medical history goes with you. It is accessible by our specialists, urgent cares and emergency rooms across the Gulf South. This allows our experts to fast-track accurate diagnoses and treatment plans.

Patients also enjoy access to MyOchsner, making it easy to schedule appointments, view test results, submit requests for prescription refills and communicate with your care team. Patients also have access to Ochsner On Call: a nurse care line offered for free 24/7 that enables patients to discuss healthcare concerns with a registered nurse by calling 1-800-231-5257.

Coordinated Care for a Healthier You

Our multidisciplinary approach allows us to coordinate care to make reaching your health goals easier. We have advanced practice providers who will give you the personalized care you need to achieve your goals. We offer a variety of programs and specialties, such as:

• Digital Medicine Programs
• Behavioral Health Services
• Diabetes Care and Education
• Preventive Medicine Outreach, where our clinical care coordinators remind patients about upcoming or overdue health screenings
• Ochsner Fitness Center
• Weight Loss Management
• Smoking Cessation

Healthy State by 2030

Louisiana has consistently been one of the states with the lowest health rankings in the country for more than 10 years. We aim to change that status before the next decade arrives.

Our goal is to improve Louisiana’s health ranking to the top 40 by the year 2030. To do this, we’re looking at health statistics among specific populations and the community. We are aiming to increase screening rates for diverse ethnicities and improve immunization rates. With our focus on population health, we’re working to improve better health outcomes in our communities.

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Services Offered

We understand that your priority is to get healthy. When you are healthy, your priority is to stay healthy. That is why our team practices preventive medicine and proactive care by promoting healthy living, wellness activities, weight management, smoking cessation and community activities. We provide the following services:

• General Health Exams and Screenings
• Complete Physical Exams
• Chronic Disease Diagnosis and Management
• Health Risk Assessments
• Medication Management
• Annual Flu Shots and Other Immunizations
• Seasonal Allergy Treatment
• Referral to Specialists and Outpatient Therapies

We also help patients manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and heart disease.

Treatments Provided

Our team practices evidence-based care when developing treatment plans for our patients. This means that our team uses research findings to help inform treatment plans. Studies show that using evidence-based care effectively results in the utmost quality of care. By adhering to national guidelines, taking a multidisciplinary approach and utilizing evidence-based care, we ensure that you will receive the highest quality of care and that the best possible outcomes will be achieved.

Our primary care physicians and advanced practice providers collaborate to manage chronic conditions and stay updated on the latest treatments available. They are finding breakthroughs in treatment for diabetes, weight loss, hypertension and other chronic conditions. For diabetes treatment, we expanded our resources to include an increasing number of available medication options, new technology such as diabetic eye cameras, and advanced practice providers specifically trained to treat diabetes. Our Bariatric Medicine department is specialized in weight loss management, providing patients with more treatment options than ever. For hypertension and other chronic conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, we offer a digital medicine program that provides you with the care you need without having to make multiple trips to the doctor’s office.

Schedule An Appointment

Getting an appointment with a doctor has never been easier! We make healthcare more accessible by offering convenient appointment options and scheduling services, such as:

• Same-day, next-day and weekend appointments
• Virtual visits
• Self-management technology
• Extended hours in most areas
• And more

You can schedule an appointment with a primary care physician by:

• Using MyOchsner
• Calling us at 866-624-7637
• Calling our 24/7 Registered Nurse at 1-800-231-5257
• Visiting one of our Extended Hours or Urgent Care locations

Virtual Visits

Existing patients can schedule virtual visits through MyOchsner or get urgent care help 24/7 with Ochsner Connected Anywhere. For new patients, virtual visits are at the physician’s discretion. Learn more about virtual visits.

Population Health Clinics

As part of our Healthy State by 2030 initiative, it is our priority to improve the health of everyone in our community. We offer several population health-focused clinics where members of our primary care team also practice medicine, including:

• Community Health Centers
• Concierge Health
• Ochsner 65 Plus
• International Health

What is Primary Care?

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.

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.