12,873
Internists
100%
Accepting patients
79%
Most common: MD
FindClarity lists 12,873 internists nationwide. 100% are currently accepting new patients. The most common credential is MD (79%). 78% accept Medicare.
Internists, also called internal medicine doctors, specialize in diagnosing and treating diseases in adults. They handle everything from routine preventive care to complex, multi-system medical problems. Many people choose an internist as their primary care physician because of their depth of training in adult medicine.
After medical school, internists complete a three-year residency focused exclusively on adult diseases. Their training emphasizes the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting every organ system. Some internists go on to subspecialize (cardiology, gastroenterology, etc.), but many practice general internal medicine as primary care physicians.
Internists are particularly skilled at managing patients with multiple overlapping conditions. If you have diabetes, hypertension, and kidney disease, for example, an internist can manage all three while watching for drug interactions and coordinating specialist input when needed.
See an internist for annual physicals, chronic disease management (diabetes, heart disease, COPD), unexplained symptoms that do not have an obvious cause, medication management for multiple conditions, preventive screenings (colonoscopy referrals, cancer screenings), and any adult health concern. Internists do not treat children.
The first appointment typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. The internist will take a thorough medical history, review your medications and supplements, perform a physical exam, and order any needed lab work or screening tests. They are trained to dig into diagnostic puzzles, so they may ask detailed questions about symptoms you have mentioned to other doctors.
Wellness visit: $0 (preventive) · Office visit copay: $20-50 · Comprehensive metabolic panel: $100-300
An internist can serve as your primary care doctor, but the terms are not identical. "Primary care" is a role, while "internal medicine" is a specialty. Family medicine doctors, internists, and in some cases geriatricians all fill the primary care role. Internists focus specifically on adults.
Start with your internist for most new symptoms. They can evaluate the problem and determine whether specialist care is needed. Internists are trained to diagnose across organ systems, so they can often identify conditions that might be missed if you go straight to a specialist focused on one area. They also prevent unnecessary specialist referrals.
Some internists perform minor office procedures like skin biopsies, joint aspirations, and Pap smears. Hospital-based internists (hospitalists) may perform lumbar punctures, central line placements, and other bedside procedures. Most general internists in outpatient settings focus on diagnosis, medication management, and preventive care.
Yes, for common conditions. Internists regularly diagnose and treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia. They can prescribe medications and provide initial counseling. For more complex psychiatric conditions or when therapy is the primary treatment, they will refer you to a psychiatrist or therapist while continuing to manage your physical health.
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Preventive visits are covered at 100% under the ACA with no copay. Standard office visits carry a copay of $20 to $50. Most insurance plans allow you to select an internist as your primary care physician. Check that your internist is in-network. Specialist referrals may require your PCP's involvement depending on your plan type (HMO vs. PPO).