menu COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Information Patient First as Primary Care Physician (PCP) Patient First provides a full range of preventive, primary, and urgent care services. When specialty care is required, we refer patients to outside physicians in the appropriate specialty. We do not serve as a primary care physician for patients under the age of seven. Health Benefits Plan Guidelines Each managed care plan has its own rules and regulations for both physicians and patients, but the following general guidelines apply when you choose Patient First as your Primary Care Provider: Urgent Problems When you choose a Patient First physician or Patient First as your primary care physician, you may visit any Patient First physician at any Patient First center at any time for urgent problems. Please note that with some select insurance companies Patient First participates as an urgent care provider only. Emergency Care If you feel you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency at any time of day or night, please go to the nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911. If you feel you need to visit a hospital emergency room for any other reason between 8 a.m. and 8 pm, please speak in advance with a Patient First physician on duty at your center of record. Between 8 pm and 8 a.m., please contact the center for pre-recorded instructions on how to reach the after-hours, on-call Patient First physician to request an immediate emergency referral. The Patient First physician may authorize a referral or may advise you to be seen at Patient First promptly the next morning. If you are seen at an emergency room for a non-life-threatening problem without having obtained a referral from your PCP in advance, your insurance plan may not pay for the visit. Most insurance plans do not allow retroactive referrals. Your insurance plan determines what it will reimburse. Chronic Conditions If you have an ongoing medical condition, like high blood pressure or diabetes, you should try to see the same Patient First physician each time. To ensure continuity of care, chronic conditions are best handled by a single physician. Call the center for a recording of your primary care physician’s work schedule or check the schedule online. Referrals In general, you must be evaluated by a Patient First physician for any problem before you will be referred to a specialist. Please consult your insurance plan for exceptions to this rule. If your Patient First physician refers you to a specialist, please call the Patient First Referral Center at (800) 370-8197 at least two weekdays prior to your appointment so that approval for your visit with the specialist can be obtained from your insurance company. If you do not have your visit approved in advance, your insurance plan may reduce the payment or may not pay for the specialty services. Allergy injections and Vitamin B12 injections are routinely administered at Patient First. You may receive a referral for an initial evaluation for allergy testing at the allergist's office, but you will be expected to return to Patient First for routine injections. Hospitalizations Patient First physicians practice in the office setting only. If you need hospital care, we will arrange for a specialist or hospitalist to care for you during your hospital stay. That physician will follow you and keep your Patient First PCP up to date on your progress. He or she will also send a written report to your PCP for your medical record. YES NO Was this page helpful to you? FIND YOUR NEAREST CENTER Favorite a center and gain access to hours right here. Find your center FIND YOUR PREFERRED PHYSICIAN AT PATIENT FIRST Favorite a physician to have their schedule displayed on the homepage for you. Find your Patient First physician Urgent Care Telehealth Primary Care Occupational Health Illnesses Injuries Immunizations Physicals Women's Services Travel Services Connect with Us Facebook Twitter Instagram LinkedIn 5000 Cox Road Richmond, VA 23060 Richmond 804-968-5700 Toll Free 800-447-8588 Fax 804-968-5725 Contact Us Patient Portal About Us Make a Payment Community Your Privacy Careers FAQ & Resources Contact Us Notice of Nondiscrimination Translation Disclaimer Accredited by National Urgent Care Center Accreditation ©2021 PatientFirst. All Rights Reserved. Terms Of Use Privacy Statement Employee Login English