Telehealth Primary Care 101: What It Is and Why It Matters
- Phoenix Medical Group of Florida
- Nov 8, 2025
- 7 min read
Primary care is the front door to better health and longevity. It’s where prevention starts, where most problems are solved, and where care gets coordinated when you need specialists or hospital services. Communities with stronger primary care services have lower mortality, better health equity, and lower overall costs—even after accounting for income and hospital supplies (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM, 2021). Yet many people still wonder: What exactly is “primary care" and why is it so important for me and my family?
We examine what primary care involves, its significance in boosting overall health and lowering expenses, and ,the elements it encompasses like preventive care to chronic disease management. This post will also include how a contemporary, telehealth-centered practice such as Phoenix Medical Group of Florida brings accessible, affordable and convenient care to you and your family.
What is Telehealth Primary Care?
The simplest definition of primary care: Primary care is a comprehensive, first-contact, continuous care model that focuses on you as a whole person—not just one organ system or one episode of illness (AHRQ, 2016; O’Malley, 2020). Telehealth is accessible by an online video chat with your primary provider.
Primary Care's Core Features:
First Contact (Access): Your starting point for new problems, preventive care/screenings and routine care needs. Access to care should be easy to schedule an appointment with quick availability, and at your convenience.
Continuity of Care: An ongoing relationship with the same care team over time. That relationship is vital and can assist providers in identifying or recognizing even subtle changes in a patient's health status.
Comprehensiveness: Most of your health needs can be handled by a primary care provider—from prevention and screenings to acute issues and chronic disease. A primary provider can order diagnostic tests, can refer you to a specialist and can develop a personalized care plan tailored to your specific needs.
Coordination: When specialty groups or hospital care are needed, primary care providers can clearly communicate your current health and why they are sending you to a specialist for further evaluation. They can be your advocate in navigating the healthcare system, can explain medical jargon you may not understand, provide contact information for local resources in your area, and discuss alternative options in treatment.
Compassion/Patient-Centeredness: Care that is aligned with your values and lifestyle, with minimal disruption in your daily routines. They respect and honor your wishes and put you first with shared decision-making. (AHRQ, 2016; O’Malley, 2020).
At Phoenix Medical Group, our priority is to focus on you by dedicating time to understanding your concerns, needs, and health objectives. We operate independently of insurance and pharmaceutical companies, allowing us to tailor your healthcare experience. We offer the primary care services mentioned above to Floridians through cutting-edge, confidential, and HIPAA-compliant telehealth solutions. Our goal is simple: to deliver easily accessible medical care that utilizes current, evidence-based practices tailored to fit your busy lifestyle.
Why Primary Care is So Powerful
Primary care significantly reduces emergency department visits and hospital admissions.
Years of research indicate that regions with a higher availability of primary care providers experience a lower overall mortality rate and improved health outcomes. A nationwide study revealed that an increase in primary care providers correlates with enhancements in life expectancy and decreased mortality, while the availability of specialists did not demonstrate a similar consistent impact (Basu et al., 2019).
When you have a trusted primary care team—and especially when you see the same team consistently—research shows fewer avoidable hospitalizations and better chronic disease control (Kao et al., 2019; Chao et al., 2022; Prior et al., 2025). Better continuity means earlier recognition of risk, faster treatment adjustments, and less fragmentation.
Primary care puts evidence-based prevention into practice by preventing more diseases before they begin. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) consistently evaluates statistical data collected from health care providers to determine the efficacy of specific interventions to improve health. This may include, but is not limited to: screening exams, the use of medications to decrease cardiovascular risks, and treatment initiatives to promote health and enhance positive outcomes. The primary care setting is where these services are executed (USPSTF, 2024; USPSTF, n.d.).
Chronic diseases account for approximately 90% of the nation’s health expenditures (CDC, 2025). Primary care is the most effective setting for managing conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, asthma/COPD, and depression—helping individuals understand their risks, conditions, treatment options and answer any questions you may have about your health. Programs that combine primary care with holistic, comprehensive services, in addition to regular check-ins or check-ups, lead to system-wide savings (NASEM, 2021).
What Primary Care Includes and How We Deliver It
Preventive Care & Screenings
A significant portion of primary care involves evaluating risk scores, reducing risks through lifestyle changes, and offering education to set achievable goals. During annual exams, healthcare providers might order diagnostic tests suitable for the patient's age, such as blood tests or other evaluations like colorectal screenings, mammograms, and lung CT scans to identify any health conditions that can be life-altering. These age-appropriate diagnostic exams are usually scheduled according to the intervals recommended by the USPSTF A/B guidelines (USPSTF, n.d.).
An often neglected or underreported aspect of preventive care is sexual health for both men and women. This encompasses screening for hormonal imbalances, a natural condition that occurs with aging. Hormonal imbalances can frequently resemble other issues, such as depression, anxiety, or difficulties in coping with stress. It is widely recognized that men tend to report symptoms of andropause, including fatigue, lack of motivation, weight gain, erectile dysfunction, and decreased libido. Women, on the other hand, are more likely to report symptoms of perimenopause and may be told these are simply part of aging. They might also hear that their lab results are normal and be prescribed antidepressants, anxiety medications, or referred to behavioral health counselors. Primary care providers should consider screening for andropause or perimenopause when patients enter their late 30s or early 40s. Failing to identify and appropriately treat hormonal imbalances with bioidentical hormones can lead to a gradual decline in overall health and well-being. Inadequate hormone replacement can increase the risk of depression, obesity, substance abuse, cardiovascular issues, high blood pressure, and loss of bone density. Just as thyroid disorders caused by imbalanced thyroid hormones are treated, changes in reproductive hormones due to aging should also be addressed.
Acute/Same-Day Issues
Primary care providers are equipped to address most new issues or other concerns like respiratory infections, rashes, minor injuries, UTIs, migraines, gastrointestinal complaints, and more. Telehealth allows you to conveniently schedule an online appointment and connect with a provider on the same day or the next day, helping to prevent unnecessary ER or urgent care visits and the worsening of medical conditions. Electronic prescriptions can be sent to your preferred pharmacy, and work or school notes can be provided.
Chronic Disease Management
Conditions like hypertension, diabetes, hypothyroidism, obesity, asthma/COPD, hyperlipidemia, anxiety/depression is managed by primary care providers. Strong continuity of care with the same providers leads to better medication adherence, compliance with individualized care plans, and earlier adjustments in treatment if needed—a proven recipe for fewer hospitalizations (Kao et al., 2019; Chao et al., 2022). Additionally, When specialty care is necessary, primary care becomes your health care quarterback—synthesizing information, ensuring results loop back, reducing duplicative tests, and keeping the plan streamlined and coherent.
We all understand that mental and physical health are interconnected, which is why we advocate for holistic care that is customized for each patient. Conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use, sleep disorders, and social stressors can have a significant impact on chronic disease and management. Integrated primary care that screens for behavioral health issues or progression can efficiently link patients to community and specialized resources to provide comprehensive care. (NASEM, 2021).
What to Expect From a High-Quality Primary Care Relationship
Your provider learns your story, tracks trends, and helps you navigate change
Medical care that can be easily accessed from anywhere
Same-day/next-day telehealth appointment availability
Evidence-based prevention screenings and treatment plans
Shared decision-making and education on alternative options
Personalized care to meet your goals and lifestyle
Medication stewardship with minimizing side effects, interactions and costs
Coordinated specialty care and follow-up
How Phoenix Medical Group Makes Primary Care Easy
Telehealth-first access across Florida—ideal for busy professionals, parents, students, and small business owners.
Transparent pricing and same-day sick visits to prevent ER/urgent-care visits when it’s safe to treat at home.
Comprehensive lab panels (including metabolic & hormone options when clinically indicated) with rapid telehealth follow-up to adjust care plans.
Weight-management programs and hormone optimization for eligible adults, integrated with nutrition, sleep, and activity coaching—because prevention and lifestyle medicine are core primary care tools.
Continuity with the same provider—your history and preferences drive decisions.
Coordinated referrals when specialty care is needed, with advocacy and shared decision-making.
Taking the Next Step
If you’re in Florida and want fast access to relationship-based care that focuses on prevention, whole-person health, and smart coordination, Phoenix Medical Group of Florida is ready to help.
Schedule your consult today—so you can feel your best and avoid the avoidable.
References
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. (2016). White paper: Redefining primary care for the 21st century (Workforce and financing). https://www.ahrq.gov/sites/default/files/wysiwyg/professionals/systems/primary-care/workforce-financing/white_paper.pdf
Basu, S., Berkowitz, S. A., Phillips, R. L., Bitton, A., Landon, B. E., & Phillips, R. S. (2019). Association of primary care physician supply with population mortality in the United States, 2005–2015. JAMA Internal Medicine, 179(4), 506–514. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2018.7624 (Open-access summary) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6450307/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, August 8). The impact of chronic diseases in America: Fast facts. https://www.cdc.gov/chronic-disease/data-research/facts-stats/index.html
Chao, Y.-H., et al. (2022). Effects of continuity of care on hospitalizations and healthcare costs: A population-based study. BMC Geriatrics, 22, 889. https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-022-03407-7
Kao, Y.-H., et al. (2019). Continuity of outpatient care and avoidable hospitalization: A systematic review. American Journal of Managed Care, 25(4), e126–e134. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30986022/
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). Implementing high-quality primary care: Rebuilding the foundation of health care. National Academies Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK571810/ and overview: https://www.nationalacademies.org/our-work/implementing-high-quality-primary-care
O’Malley, P. (2020). Primary care and patient safety: Opportunities at the interface. AHRQ PSNet. https://psnet.ahrq.gov/perspective/primary-care-and-patient-safety-opportunities-interface
Prior, A., et al. (2025). Continuity of care in general practice and patient outcomes: A retrospective cohort study. The Lancet Primary Care, 1(1). https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanprc/article/PIIS3050-5143%2825%2900016-0/fulltext
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (n.d.). A and B recommendations. https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/uspstf/recommendation-topics/uspstf-a-and-b-recommendations
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2024, November 20). 14th annual report to Congress on high-priority evidence gaps for clinical preventive services.
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