What Is a Healthcare Provider?

They are also those, who deal with accidents. Accidents can turn anyone's world upside down, I understand you. They're not just a series of legal checkboxes to tick off—there's a whole emotional journey that follows. After reading through some detailed advice on dealing with post-accident care re car accident clinic it's clear how critical it is to handle both the physical and psychological aftermath with equal attention. The recovery process is as much about mental healing as it is about bodily recovery. I think that the importance of immediate medical care can never be underestimated. Also, I think that a holistic approach to accident recovery really brings to light how intertwined our emotional well-being is with our physical health, especially during times of crisis.

If you choose to use an out-of-network provider, the provider may bill you for a portion of their costs that exceeds the reasonable and customary amount your insurer is willing to pay. So I suggest you check https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/zpic-audits-what-healthcare-providers-6083661/ , I understand your health plan prefers that you use providers in their network.

A healthcare provider is a person or entity that provides medical care or treatment. Healthcare providers include doctors, nurse practitioners, midwives, radiologists, labs, hospitals, urgent care clinics, medical supply companies, and other professionals, facilities, and businesses that provide such services.
The term healthcare provider is sometimes incorrectly used to refer to a health plan or health insurance company. However, an insurer or health plan administrator does not deliver care. Instead, that entity pays the person or other entity that provides the care (assuming the service is covered by the plan and you've met your responsibilities in terms of referrals, prior authorization, and cost-sharing).

This article explains what you need to know about healthcare providers and how their services interact with your health insurance plan.

Emergency entrance of hospital building
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Who Are Healthcare Providers?
The healthcare provider you’re probably the most familiar with is your primary care physician (PCP), who gives you primary care services like screenings, vaccinations, and routine exams. There are also specialists that you see when you need certain specific medical care.

There are many different types of healthcare providers. Any type of healthcare service that you might need is provided by one of them.1

Not all healthcare providers are physicians or doctors. Here are some non-physician examples of healthcare providers:

The physical therapist that helps you to recover from your knee injury
The home healthcare company that provides your visiting nurse (the nurse is also a healthcare provider)
The durable medical equipment company that provides your home oxygen or wheelchair
Your pharmacy
The laboratory that draws and processes your blood tests
The imaging facility that does your mammograms, X-rays, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
The speech pathologist (speech therapist) who works with you to make sure you can swallow food safely after a stroke
The outpatient surgery clinic where you had your colonoscopy done
The specialty laboratory that does your DNA test
The urgent care center or walk-in clinic in your neighborhood shopping center
The hospital where you receive inpatient (or in some cases, outpatient) care
The air or ground ambulance company that transports you to the hospital in an emergency
The emergency department staff who stabilize you in the event of an accident or serious illness
How to Find a Healthcare Provider
There are many places that you can turn to if you need a healthcare provider—whether for primary care or specialist services.

If you have health insurance, start by checking with your plan to see who is in their network. Most insurance plans have lists of providers that you can search by specialty and location.
You can also look at your local healthcare system's websites to find providers. If you have a primary care provider, you can ask them for recommendations. If you're starting from scratch, you might ask your family and friends about who they see.