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Health Insurance 101: When to See a Specialist

Sometimes, you can save money by seeing your primary care doctor first.

Lauren Smith, MAAlexandra Schwarz, MD
Written by Lauren Smith, MA | Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD
Updated on May 31, 2024
Reviewed by Alexandra Schwarz, MD | May 31, 2024

When you suspect a health issue, should you see your primary care doctor first — or go straight to a specialist? In this video, learn the benefits of seeing your primary care provider first, and why some insurance plans even require it.

References

American Association of Family Physicians. (2021). Primary care.

HealthCare.gov. (n.d.). Health Maintenance Organization (HMO).

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Lauren Smith, MA
Written by:
Lauren Smith, MA
Lauren Smith, MA, has worked in health journalism since 2017. Before joining GoodRx, she was the senior health editor and writer for HealthiNation.
Alexandra Schwarz, MD, is a board-eligible sleep medicine physician and a board-certified family medicine physician. She is a member of both the AASM and the ABFM.

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