Comprehensive Primary and Specialty Care Services at UCLA Health
UCLA Health provides comprehensive primary and specialty care services, acting as a trusted partner dedicated to improved health and well-being. With a network of over 50 primary care clinics throughout Southern California, including more than two dozen specializing in pediatric primary care, UCLA Health offers accessible and personalized healthcare for individuals and families.
Why Choose UCLA Health for Primary Care?
UCLA Health's primary care physicians (PCPs) serve individuals at every stage of life, acting as the first point of contact for all health concerns. Whether you are sick, injured, or simply require a routine check-up, you can expect outstanding and individualized care.
Comprehensive Care: UCLA Health PCPs are board-certified in internal medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, or both internal medicine and pediatrics. This ensures that the healthcare needs of every family member are met with personalized and well-rounded care, building strong relationships between patients and providers.
Convenience and Flexibility: With a widespread network of primary care clinics, UCLA Health makes it easy to find a skilled primary care doctor nearby. Many practices offer extended hours, virtual visits, weekend appointments, and flexible scheduling, accommodating busy lifestyles and ensuring accessible healthcare.
On-Site Services: Many UCLA Health primary care practices offer convenient on-site services, including imaging, blood draws and lab work, behavioral health services, and pharmacy consultations. Select locations also feature dermatology, cardiology and cardiac imaging, endocrinology and diabetes care, and other UCLA Health specialty physicians within the same building, saving time and ensuring easy access to the necessary care.
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World-Class, Coordinated Care: Patients needing specialty treatments benefit from access to the full resources and support of the UCLA Health network. Your primary care doctor will oversee and coordinate your care with other specialists and programs, ensuring exceptional, seamless care for you and your family.
Areas of Care
UCLA Health primary care physicians provide comprehensive care, ranging from routine screenings and disease prevention to coordinated treatments for various health conditions.
Services offered include:
- Behavioral health services
- Coordination of care for patients with chronic medical conditions and multiple specialist physicians
- Geriatric care
- Newborn care
- Palliative care
- Preventive care, including immunizations and routine screenings for cancer and other diseases
- Same-day sick appointments
- Travel medicine, including immunizations
- Well care for children and adults
- Well-woman care
Services Offered
Your primary care doctor will conduct annual physicals and provide care for illnesses and injuries. They will learn your medical history and personal risk factors, working with you to promote positive lifestyle changes that support your long-term health.
A general practitioner, or PCP, will:
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- Coordinate your care and act as the leader of your health care team
- Help you manage chronic medical conditions, such as hypertension and diabetes
- Learn your values and preferences to help with shared decision making
- Manage your medications, adjust dosages and orders refills
- Recommend preventive health screenings, vaccines and routine tests for cancer and other diseases
- Refer you to specialists as needed
- Treat common and acute medical conditions
Preventive Care vs. Follow-Up or Diagnostic Care
It is important to understand the distinction between preventive care and follow-up or diagnostic care, as they are billed separately and may have different insurance coverage.
Preventive care includes:
- Checking blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol based on screening guidelines
- Discussing age-appropriate cancer screening tests
- Evaluations for older adults (such as fall risk, hearing loss, brief assessment for memory loss, advance directives)
- Routine vaccinations (flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, etc.)
- Measuring height and weight
- Depression screening
Preventive care does not include:
- Diagnosing, discussing or treating new symptoms
- Managing chronic diseases (such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, dementia, etc.)
- Following up on previously diagnosed conditions
Consult your PCP if you have questions about the difference between preventive care and follow-up or diagnostic care to avoid unexpected costs. When scheduling an appointment with your PCP, specify whether the appointment is solely for preventive care or if you also have medical conditions or concerns to discuss.
Conditions Treated
UCLA Health's board-certified primary care doctors possess extensive knowledge and expertise in a wide range of health conditions. They partner with patients and families to prevent illness, detect health problems early, and deliver effective treatments.
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Some of the conditions managed and treated include:
- Accidents and injuries, including minor burns, bug bites, cuts, sprains and strains
- Behavioral health concerns, including anxiety and depression
- Chronic conditions such as diabetes, anemia, allergies, asthma and high blood pressure
- Illness such as ear infections, rashes and gastrointestinal problems
- Viruses, including flu and coronavirus (COVID-19)
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