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Your pediatrician plays an important role in your health as you’re growing up. But as you reach adulthood, your health needs change. Then it’s time to see a health professional who will care for your behavioral, emotional, and physical needs into adulthood.

Finding a new provider may feel overwhelming. But you can take it step by step. Here’s what you should know about transitioning from a pediatrician to a primary care provider.

What’s the Difference Between a Pediatrician and a Primary Care Provider?

Primary care is complete medical care. Primary care providers care for people of all ages, including infants, children, and adults. You may get care from:

• Family practitioners — Doctors with extensive special training in family medicine and care for children and adults of all ages.
• Internists — Doctors specializing in wellness care and caring for people with medical problems or chronic health conditions.
• Nurse practitioners (NP) or physician assistants (PA) — Trained health professionals with specific certifications. Although they’re not doctors, they can provide primary care.

Other primary care providers specialize in caring for people of specific ages or health needs. These specialists include:

• Geriatricians — Doctors who take care of older people with age-related medical needs.
• Obstetricians/gynecologists — Doctors who care for women, including pregnant women.
• Pediatricians — Doctors who specialize in caring for children from infancy through adolescence.

When Should You Switch From a Pediatrician to an Adult Doctor?

Some pediatrician practices have policies about when patients must transition to an adult care provider. Talk to your pediatrician’s office about their policies. Generally, plan to transition to an adult primary care provider when you’re about 18 years old.

When should I look for a new health care provider?

Give yourself plenty of time to select a new primary care provider. Talk to your pediatrician about your specific health needs. Finding the right provider is essential if you’re managing a health condition or special health needs.

How Do I Choose a Primary Care Provider?

Consider your health needs when choosing a new primary care provider. Your pediatrician can help you understand the care you may need during adulthood and whether you may also need specialty care.

Things to consider when selecting a primary care provider include:

Your health insurance

Make sure your new provider accepts your health insurance. You can call their office to confirm. You can also search your health plan’s provider directory for primary care providers who take your insurance.

Make sure you have a copy of your health insurance card. Keep it with you in your wallet or purse.

Your location

Think about where you live and how you’ll get to your appointments. Choose a primary care provider in a convenient location.

Your medical history

Consider any health conditions or special health needs you have. Make sure you understand what type of care you’ll need. See if your new primary care provider works with certain specialists or hospitals.

What Do I Need to Do Before Seeing My New Doctor?

A parent or family member likely managed your relationship with your doctor during childhood. As an adult, you’re in charge of communicating with your doctor. Your doctor can’t share your health information with anyone else without your permission.

When you’ve chosen your new primary care provider, you should:

Make an appointment

Contact your new provider and make your first appointment. Find out if they can access your electronic medical record. You may need to have your medical records transferred to your new provider from your pediatrician’s office.

You can also keep a copy of your medical records.

Make a patient portal account

Some practices offer an online patient portal through which you can make appointments, get test results, and send messages to your provider. A portal account can make managing appointments and accessing your health information easy.

Talk to your pediatrician

Ask your pediatrician to summarize important health information you should share with your new provider. You can ask them to share this information directly with your new provider.

You can also ask your pediatrician to join you in a telehealth visit with your new primary care provider. They can share information about your health and answer any questions.

Know your personal and family health history

Taking good care of yourself means talking with your new provider about how to live a healthy life. Make sure you understand any:

• Allergies you have.
• Changes in your health, especially during the past year.
• Medications you take.
• Recent test results.

Knowing your family health history is also important. Ask a parent or family member about other family members who have experienced health conditions.

What If I Have a Health Condition?

Talk to your pediatrician if you have a chronic health condition or other special health needs. They’ll help you understand any care you’ll need right away and any specialists you should plan to see.

Make sure you have this conversation before you plan to leave the practice. Finding new specialists can take time, and your new primary care provider may also recommend certain specialists.

How Can Parents Help Kids Make Their Transition to Adult Health Care?

It may feel challenging when your child takes responsibility for their health. After they turn 18, you can no longer access their health information without permission. You can help your adult child stay healthy by:

• Giving them a copy of their health insurance card.
• Helping them list things to discuss with their health care provider before appointments.
• Modeling healthy behaviors like exercising, eating healthy, not smoking, and seeing your doctor regularly.
• Providing information about your child’s health, your health, and the health of family members.
• Role-playing how to make an appointment and talk to a doctor if your child needs help.

What should parents of children with special needs do?

If your child has a chronic health condition or special needs, talk to them about their health. Help them understand the importance of keeping appointments with health care providers and ensuring continuity of care. Help them research and select new specialists to care for their adult health needs.

If you need information about your child’s health, talk to them about giving you access. If your child can’t manage their special health needs independently, consult an attorney about legal steps, such as a power of attorney or guardianship.