How to Update Your Primary Care Physician With Your Insurance Company (Step-by-Step Guide)

Colleen Mckay
Jul 15
2 min read

Learn why it's important to update your Primary Care Physician (PCP) with your insurance company—plus step-by-step instructions and links for Maryland MCOs like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and CareFirst.

Did You Know Your Insurance Might Pick a Random Doctor for You?

After 14 years in the medical field, even I was surprised to learn that if you're enrolled in an MCO (Managed Care Organization) plan, you may not choose your Primary Care Physician (PCP)—your insurance company does.

As someone who values having a say in my care, this was eye-opening. Your PCP isn’t just your yearly check-up doctor—they help manage your care, give referrals, and keep your health on track. But if your insurance doesn’t have the right PCP listed, it can cause problems you don’t see coming.

Why Keeping Your PCP Updated Matters

If your insurance company has the wrong PCP on file, you could:

Miss out on covered care or be sent to a random doctor
Have referrals denied if they don’t come from your listed PCP
Get surprise bills because your visit wasn’t linked to your plan
⚠️ Appointment Canceled:

Your insurance plan didn’t recognize the doctor you saw. Make sure your PCP is updated to avoid this.