Getting Care at Group Health

At Group Health, your personal physician for primary care coordinates your medical care, and will help you decide what treatment options are best for you. Personal physician types include family practitioners, pediatricians, and internists.

Also see: Be Involved in Your Care

Choosing a Personal Physician

Follow these steps to choose or change your personal physician:

  • Use our online Provider Directory to search for a physician. You can select your physician online, but you must log in or register with MyGroupHealth for Members.
  • Alternatively, select a provider from the online Provider Directory, and then notify Customer Service of your choice by phone.

Members of Your Health Care Team

At Group Health, you'll have a team of experts devoted to your health, not just one doctor. Types of health care professionals who may look after you include:

Physician Assistants

Certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, PA-Cs take patient histories, perform physical exams, and diagnose and treat common medical problems.

Nurse Practitioners

Advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs) often work in programs such as family practice, pediatrics, and women's health care. They perform physical exams, and treat and prescribe medications for common medical problems.

Registered Nurses

RNs evaluate each member's specific needs. They coordinate, plan, and direct care. RNs teach patients how to prevent disease and manage illness.

Making an Appointment

You have two options for making an appointment.

Online

This option is available only to members who receive care at Group Health-owned facilities.


Use MyGroupHealth's suite of secure, online services to request an appointment for yourself or a family member. You can suggest days and times that are best for you, and your patient care representative will send an appointment confirmation to your MyGroupHealth inbox by the end of the next business day.

For access to online appointments and other enhanced services, you must first register with MyGroupHealth and then upgrade your account.

By phone

Call the office of your primary care physician, and make sure you have your member ID card ready. For immediate health concerns, same-day appointments are normally available. For routine care such as well-adult exams or follow-ups, your office can schedule appointments in advance, at a time convenient for you. You can also make appointments directly for most specialty consultations at Group Health-operated medical centers. (You need a referral to see contracted specialists.)

Copayments

When you arrive for your visit, give your member ID card to the receptionist. Be prepared to pay any copayment that is due. You will generally be asked for your copayment at the beginning of a visit. (A copayment is the amount you pay for each visit or for each prescription and is due at the time you receive service. Your member ID card lists the copayment amounts.)