Compare 723 primary care physicians in Columbia, SC. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
723
Primary Care Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
71%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Columbia has 723 primary care physicians. The most common credential is MD (71%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Five Points, The Vista (Congaree Vista), Shandon, and Forest Acres.
Nearby hospitals include Prisma Health Richland Hospital, Prisma Health Baptist Hospital, and Lexington Medical Center (nearby). Local training programs run through University of South Carolina School of Medicine and University of South Carolina. Prisma Health is the largest healthcare system in South Carolina, headquartered in the Columbia-Greenville corridor.
The most commonly accepted carriers among Columbia primary care physicians include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, and molina. 58% accept Medicare.
A first visit with a new PCP takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Expect a review of your full medical history, current medications, family history, and lifestyle habits. The doctor will perform a physical exam and may order blood work or other baseline tests. You will leave with a plan for any immediate issues and a schedule for preventive screenings.
See your PCP for annual physicals, vaccinations, persistent symptoms (cough, fatigue, pain), management of chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, new health concerns that do not require emergency care, mental health prescriptions (antidepressants, anti-anxiety), and referrals to specialists. They are your first stop for nearly any non-emergency health issue.
Annual physical: $0 (preventive, covered) · Sick visit copay: $20-50 · Blood work: $100-500 (often covered preventive)
Annual physicals catch problems early when treatment is simplest. Your primary care doctor screens for heart disease, diabetes, cancer, and other conditions based on your age, gender, and risk factors.
High blood pressure rarely has symptoms, which is why regular monitoring matters. Your primary care doctor manages lifestyle changes and medication to keep your numbers in a healthy range.
Primary care doctors manage type 2 diabetes through medication, lifestyle coaching, and regular lab monitoring. They refer to endocrinology for complex or insulin-dependent cases.
Sinus infections, strep throat, urinary tract infections, and respiratory illness are the bread and butter of primary care. Your doctor diagnoses the cause and prescribes treatment to get you feeling better quickly.
Abnormal cholesterol levels are a major contributor to heart disease. Your primary care doctor orders lipid panels, recommends lifestyle changes, and prescribes statins or other medications when needed.
Columbia, SC has 723 licensed primary care physicians. 100% are currently accepting new patients, so finding an available provider should be straightforward.
Yes. 100% of primary care physicians in Columbia, SC are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
The most commonly accepted carriers among primary care physicians in Columbia, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, molina, and centene. Coverage and in-network status vary by provider, so it is worth confirming directly with the office before scheduling. FindClarity shows accepted insurance for each provider.
Annual physicals are covered at no cost under most insurance plans. Sick visit copays range from $20 to $50. Blood work can cost $100 to $500, though preventive labs are often covered. Actual costs in Columbia, SC depend on the provider and your insurance plan. Annual wellness visits are covered at 100% under the Affordable Care Act with no copay or deductible. Verify your provider is in-network to maximize coverage.
Look for a board-certified provider who accepts your insurance and practices near you. Columbia, SC has 723 primary care physicians. Reading patient reviews and checking hospital affiliations can help narrow your choice. FindClarity lets you compare providers by credentials, insurance, and location.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Columbia, SC, 71% hold the MD credential and 13% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
58% of primary care physicians in Columbia, SC accept Medicare. Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit at no cost, plus most preventive screenings. Sick visits and chronic disease management are covered under Part B with standard cost-sharing. You can filter for Medicare-accepting providers on FindClarity.
Top accepted carriers in Columbia, SC include unitedhealthcare, medicare, qhp-26065, molina, and centene.
Annual wellness visits are covered at 100% with no copay under most insurance plans, thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Sick visits and follow-ups have copays or coinsurance. Verify your PCP is in-network, as out-of-network visits cost significantly more. Many plans require you to select a PCP to serve as your care coordinator.