Definition: A health insurance term used to describe a physician who is responsible and coordinates all of a patient's care in a managed care system like a preferred provider organization (PPO) or health maintenance organization (HMO). The primary care physician is the primary point of contact with the insured patient and acts as a gatekeeper controlling the insured's access to health care through the insurer.
Also Known As: Abbreviation, PCP.
Examples:
I need to see Dr. Smith, my primary care physician, for a referral to a cardiac specialist.