Primary Care in Albert Lea

Primary care is your first resource for health care in Albert Lea, Minnesota. It encompasses health services to cover a range of prevention, wellness and treatment of common health conditions and illnesses. It's also where you go for checkups and routine medical appointments.

Health care professionals in primary care include physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. They often maintain a long-term relationship with you to support and manage your ongoing care.

Choosing a primary care provider

Finding the right primary care provider is important, and it's the first step to take as a new patient. Having a primary care provider allows you to establish a trusting relationship with one person who gets to know you and your medical history, and who provides continuity of care for you and your family.

A primary care provider:

• Evaluates and treats day-to-day health problems
• Advises you on preventive screenings at different stages throughout your life
• Follows up with you to explain test results and judge how well your treatment is working
• Refers you to qualified specialists when needed
• Maintains the big picture of your overall health and treatment needs

Primary Care includes these specialties:

• Family Medicine
• Internal Medicine
• Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine

When selecting a primary care provider, you may consider:

• A clinic or office location
• A specific specialty: Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or Pediatric & Adolescent Medicine
• Your medical conditions, perhaps matching your needs to the interests or expertise of the health care professional

To learn about our health care professionals, browse the directory of providers, making sure to select your preferred location.

When you need same-day primary care

Appointments with your primary care provider are based on first availability. Mayo Clinic Health System offers Express Care for same-day care of common health concerns. When you need same-day care for symptoms that cannot be treated through Express Care, call your local clinic’s appointment line to request a same-day appointment with Primary Care. You may be asked to speak with a nurse prior to scheduling the appointment.

Check symptoms to reduce worry

Check Symptoms is a free online symptom evaluation tool available 24/7/365. It can give you peace of mind when symptoms start to worry you. Located within Mayo Clinic's patient portal, it allows you to answer a series of targeted questions to evaluate your symptoms and receive a care recommendation.

Medicare annual wellness visit

If you're a Medicare recipient, you're eligible to take advantage of annual wellness visits.

During this free preventive visit, you'll meet with a registered nurse to develop or update your personalized prevention plan based on your current health and risk factors. It's not a physical exam and does not replace an annual physical exam with your primary care provider.

Call your primary care provider's office and ask to schedule your Medicare annual wellness visit.