Another graduation season has come and gone, and everyone has at least emptied their mailboxes of the announcements from loved ones of diplomas and degrees. Facebook feeds have been full of smiling faces beneath mortarboards, posted by giddy parents.

Graduation comes with a lot of changes. Some graduates will be relocating to begin their careers or continue their education, while others will be employing what they’ve learned closer to home.

Whatever the case, most high school graduates will have reached the age of 18, and college grads are often in their early 20s. While they may still be covered by their parents’ health plans until they are 26, it’s probably time to start thinking about finding a primary care provider beyond your pediatrician's office.

Having a primary care provider is vital to your health, even if you’re young and healthy. Internal medicine specialists and family practice providers work to coordinate your care, providing referrals to specialists as needed and ensuring that someone is looking at your overall health and wellbeing. People who have a primary care provider are less likely to need care from a hospital emergency department and are even less likely to experience a premature death.

Here are some tips on finding the right primary care doctor for you.

Ask Around

It’s OK to ask your pediatrician who he or she recommends. Pediatricians understand that patients will grow up and transition from their care to another provider, and if you’re healthy, then they feel good that they’ve done their job. You can also ask others whom they use; if someone has a primary care doctor they love, they’re often eager to share the recommendation.

Consider a Provider Who’s Part of a Larger Group

One of the best things about a primary care provider is the relationship you build with them over time. This is hugely important, as patients are generally more willing to be candid and discuss all their concerns, symptoms and risks with a medical provider whom they trust. Many primary care providers are affiliated with larger medical groups, such as Tanner Medical Group. This gives you the option of seeing another primary care provider for a sick visit if your primary provider’s schedule is full or he or she is out of town. Also, if more specialized care is necessary, your primary care provider can coordinate a seamless referral with a specialist who will have complete access to your medical history.

If You Have a Chronic Condition, Ask For a Patient-centered Medical Home

A growing number of primary care practices are earning designation as a Patient-centered Medical Home. The medical home model means that the patient care team has been organized around you, with resources designed to facilitate an approach to care that will allow the practice to provide a more comprehensive level of service focused on helping you live a longer, more active life.

Consider Convenience

Where is your primary care provider in relation to where you live? How close is he or she to your place of employment? Finding a provider nearby makes it easier for you to keep your appointments and access care as needed. You’re more likely to let a health problem linger and worsen if you’re dreading the drive more than the diagnosis.

Tanner has made it easy to find a primary care provider throughout west Georgia and east Alabama. Through Tanner Medical Group, there are primary care medical offices available in Bowdon, Bremen, Buchanan, Carrollton, Franklin, Mirror Lake, Tallapoosa, Union, Villa Rica, Wedowee and Woodland. You can view a complete list of Tanner Medical Group practices online at TannerMedicalGroup.org or find a doctor from Tanner’s medical staff by calling the free, 24-hour physician referral line at 770.214.CARE.