Primary care that puts you first.
Being able to freely discuss private matters with your primary care doctor is key to understanding your needs. That’s why we take more time with our patients than other primary care physicians would. And because you’re an individual, our approach isn’t a one-size-fits-all method either.
What our primary care physicians do.
At Oak Street Health, our senior primary care doctors do so much more than just prescribe medication. Our Medicare primary care physicians work with patients to create a roadmap for care. We do this by discussing what we want to accomplish together over the next year. We listen to you and your history, and plan out your health journey together. This is important because it allows us to determine if we need to stay the course, or if we need to adjust things. We also use this time to talk about preventative measures such as: immunizations, mammograms, colonoscopies, and hemoglobina A1C, to help us identify certain conditions early on. All of this helps us in determining our plan of action.
Whether you’re seeing a medical doctor (MD), doctor of osteopathy (DO), nurse practitioner (NP), or physician assistant (PA), it’s important to know that our primary care doctors don’t work in silos, and all of your senior primary care is being discussed with the entire care team to make sure you’re being provided with the best health plan for your needs. The differences in these medical categories comes with training. An MD and DO will have more training in the area of patients through medical school and residency programs. An NP is trained to assess, diagnose, order, interpret medical tests, prescribe medications and collaborate in the care of patients. The range of what an NP can do will vary by state, but at Oak Street Health, NPs are an integral part of your primary care. PAs are licensed medical professionals with an advanced degree and are able to provide direct patient care in almost all specialty and primary care settings. They can diagnose and treat common illnesses, as well as work with minor procedures. Keep in mind, your entire care team has only your best interest in mind, and will always make sure to administer the finest primary care possible.
Expert primary care practitioners near you, no matter where you are.
For far too long there has been a disparity in high-quality primary care within under-served communities. That’s why we chose to fight that disparity by opening our state-of-the-art senior health centers where people need it most. Breaking down the barriers and access to care is the first step in building healthy communities and healthy lives. That’s why you can find our primary healthcare centers in neighborhoods near you.
Primary care at the push of a button. Telehealth primary care for seniors.
Providing access to exceptional primary care for seniors is at the heart of everything we do. While we would love to see patients in our centers, we do offer telehealth primary care for seniors — which are high-quality video and phone visits with telehealth primary care doctors, in the comfort of your own home. Making sure patients have the care, when and where they need it most, is essential to helping them meet their health goals. And with telehealth primary care doctors at the ready, you’re never alone.
Care for what ails you.
As we age, more medical conditions come to light. This could be due to a multitude of reasons, such as past lifestyle behaviors, and even life experiences. And if you haven’t taken care of your health when you’re younger, these things tend to show later in life. That’s where we can help. Our senior primary care centers are staffed with Medicare primary care doctors and other healthcare providers who know what you’re going through, and who can offer their expertise in senior primary care. Plus, our state-of-the-art centers are equipped to handle everything from the common cold, to issues of social isolation.
Common conditions we treat.
- Common cold
- Allergies
- Skin conditions
- Podiatry
- Heart disease
- Kidney disease
- Mental health
- Diabetes
- Osteoarthritis
- Anemia
- Arteriosclerosis
- Asthma
Procedures we offer in the center.
Convenience is key to good health. After all, traveling to multiple locations to get labs done isn’t always easy. That’s why we offer many in-center treatments and procedures for our patients. After all, having access to care means more than having access to a typical primary care doctor’s office. And because our Medicare health centers are located in the community where our patients live, there are fewer places you have to travel to get your healthcare needs met.
A short list of in-center procedures we provide.
- Primary care
- Annual wellness check
- Immunizations and vaccinations
- Lab work
- Behavioral health
- Echocardiogram
- Prostate screenings
- Gynecological exams
- Podiatry
- Electrocardiogram
Common questions
When should I see a doctor?
Depending on your health, it’s important to see a doctor at least once a year. However, as you age the need to see a doctor on a more frequent basis is important. That’s why we like to see patients who aren’t dealing with chronic conditions every 3 months, and for those who do have chronic conditions, we like to check in with them every 3-4 weeks to make sure they are doing fine, or if we need to adjust their medications or treatments.
What are some questions I should ask before a procedure or lab work?
There are never any questions you shouldn't ask because it’s important you have all the information you need. That’s why we want to make sure you understand what we are doing, why we are doing it, why it’s important you have it done, the risks and benefits, and what to expect as a result.
Do I need to only see a medical doctor?
Not at all. All of our senior primary care providers are trained to care for senior healthcare needs. And because we work in a collaborative environment, where there are routine discussions between the entire care team, we are able to provide a well-rounded approach to your senior primary care needs.
Treatment of chronic conditions.
Chronic conditions have a tendency to disproportionately affect a large number of seniors. That’s why we provide a variety of treatments for chronic conditions within our centers.
