Getting Started
HMO insurance plans require you to choose a primary care –provider (PCP) when you enroll, while most PPO insurance plans will not. Contact your health insurance plan to find out if they will assign you a doctor if you don't choose one. If you are assigned a PCP, you may be able to see any PCP at John Muir Health. Please check with your health insurance plan. John Muir Health will not assign a doctor to you.
Your previous healthcare provider may have assigned you an ID number. At John Muir Health, we do not assign ID numbers; you just simply give your PCP some basic personal information (name, date of birth, address, etc.), as well as a copy of your health insurance card.
Step 1: Choose A PCP
With primary care clinicians located throughout Contra Costa County and parts of Alameda and Solano Counties, it's easy to find a PCP who's just right for you or your loved one. Simply visit our Find A Doctor search tool to view photos and videos of our clinicians, as well as find out which ones are accepting new patients. You can even schedule your first appointment online, right from your chosen clinician's profile page.
At John Muir Health, our PCPs can be any one of the following healthcare professionals:
- MD – Medical Doctor
- DO – Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
- NP – Nurse Practitioner
- PA – Physician Assistant
These clinicians have advanced degrees and are licensed to provide care. They can diagnose health problems, order tests, prescribe medicine, and refer you to specialists.
Need help with the Find A Doctor search tool? Our Primary Care Schedulers can answer your questions about the Find A Doctor search tool and help schedule your first appointment.
For questions about Find a Doctor search tool, call (925) 988-7550. We are available Monday – Friday, 8am–5pm.
For transferring medical records to your new PCP's office, you'll need to contact your former PCP's office for the specifics on how to request your records.
Step 2: Schedule Your First Appointment
When calling to schedule your first appointment, be sure to have your health insurance plan information available. If we can't fit you in on the day of your choice, we may offer you an appointment with another clinician in the same office or refer you to one of our Urgent Care Centers—which are conveniently open 7 days a week, including holidays.
Referrals to Specialists
Sometimes your PCP may refer you to a specialist for treatment. In this case, be sure to first contact your health insurance plan to find out if an authorization is needed. If not needed, you may simply call the specialist's office directly to make your appointment.
Please note that a referral is not the same thing as an authorization. If your health insurance plan requires an authorization, you'll need to wait for confirmation from your health insurance plan that your referral has been approved, a process which often takes 7-10 days.
Step 3: Refill Your Prescriptions
Depending on your health insurance plan, you may be able to fill your prescriptions at any pharmacy you choose or you may be required to go to specific contracted pharmacies. It's possible that you may have a prescription card that is different from your health insurance card. Please check directly with your health insurance plan for details about your prescription coverage. To refill a prescription, contact your pharmacy, and they will contact your doctor's office on your behalf. Be sure to request refills before running out of your medication, as refills can sometimes take a few days to process.
Lab Services
There are convenient lab locations inside our medical centers and many of our outpatient centers. Check with your health insurance plan to find out if there are any restrictions to the lab you can choose.
Paying For Services
It's likely that your health insurance plan may not cover some or all of the cost associated with your treatment. Contact your health insurance plan directly with questions about what's covered and what your co-pay amounts are for different services. For amounts not covered by insurance, we offer several convenient ways to pay, including:
- Cash or check
- MasterCard / Visa (debit or credit)
- American Express
- Discover
You may pay your bill by mail, phone or online.
Please note that you may receive multiple bills for different portions of the same visit or medical procedure—such as from doctors, for diagnostic tests, and for services rendered at the facility location where your care is provided.
Step 4: Activate Your MyChart Account
Whether scheduling an appointment, viewing your lab results, or sending a message to your doctor, you can conveniently manage your health online with MyChart—anytime and anywhere you have access to the Internet. If you need help registering or getting started with MyChart, you can call our Patient Support Center, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at (925) 941-2001. Please note that our Patient Support Center is for MyChart support and is not able to schedule patient appointments.
