Compare 829 primary care physicians in Madison, WI. Check ratings, insurance, and availability.
829
Primary Care Physicians
100%
Accepting patients
81%
Most common: MD
Ranked by Clarity Score, based on profile detail, verification, and patient activity.
Madison is a college town with academic medical center resources that punch well above its size. UW Health dominates the local market, and the population is younger, more educated, and more health-engaged than most comparably sized cities. The result is a healthcare environment where preventive care and wellness are the norm, not the exception.
Madison has 829 primary care physicians. The most common credential is MD (81%). 100% are currently accepting new patients. Practitioners see patients in neighborhoods including Downtown (Capitol Square), Williamson Street (Willy Street), Monroe Street, and Hilldale.
UW Health University Hospital sits on the west side of the isthmus near the UW-Madison campus. SSM Health St. Mary's is on the south side, and Meriter Hospital (UnityPoint) is centrally located near the Capitol. Most medical offices cluster along University Avenue, the Beltline Highway corridor, and the west side near the hospital. Parking at UW Hospital can be tight, so use the shuttle from the garage on Highland Avenue.
Nearby hospitals include UW Health University Hospital, SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, and Meriter Hospital (UnityPoint Health). Local training programs run through University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and University of Wisconsin-Madison. Madison is consistently ranked among the healthiest cities in the US due to high physical activity rates and healthcare access.
Quartz (formerly Physicians Plus), affiliated with UW Health, and Dean Health Plan are the dominant local carriers. Group Health Cooperative also serves the Madison market. National carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Anthem have less market share here than in Milwaukee. BadgerCare Plus enrollment is lower in Dane County than in most Wisconsin counties, reflecting the area's higher employment and income levels. 52% 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.
UW Health uses the MyChart patient portal. If you are new to the area and coming from a different health system, request your records be sent electronically or bring printed copies. Many UW Health clinics offer same-day or next-day appointments for established patients.
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)
Allergy season in Madison runs from spring through fall, with tree pollen in spring and ragweed in late summer. The lakes and surrounding farmland contribute to mold and pollen exposure that can aggravate asthma and respiratory conditions.
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.
Madison, WI has 829 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 Madison, WI are currently accepting new patients. You can filter your search on FindClarity to show only providers who are taking new patients.
Wisconsin residents enroll through HealthCare.gov for ACA marketplace plans. In Dane County, options include Quartz (affiliated with UW Health), Dean Health Plan, and Group Health Cooperative. BadgerCare Plus covers Medicaid-eligible residents. Many Madison employers offer Quartz or Dean plans that include the UW Health network.
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 Madison, WI 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.
UW Health is the dominant system in Madison, operating the university hospital, dozens of clinics, and the American Family Children's Hospital. SSM Health and UnityPoint (Meriter) offer alternatives. For most specialty care, UW Health will be the primary option. If your insurance does not include UW Health, SSM and Meriter cover a wide range of primary and acute care needs.
MD stands for Doctor of Medicine and DO stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. Both are equivalent qualifications. In Madison, WI, 81% hold the MD credential and 7% hold DO. The difference is in training pathway, not quality of care.
52% of primary care physicians in Madison, WI 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.
UW Health is the largest and most comprehensive system, but SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital and UnityPoint Health-Meriter both operate in Madison. For complex specialty care, oncology, and transplants, UW Health is typically the referral destination. Primary care and many surgical procedures are available at all three systems.
Madison has a relatively strong supply of therapists compared to most cities its size. UW Health Behavioral Health, Journey Mental Health Center, and many private practices accept new patients. Check whether your plan includes Quartz or Dean network providers, as that will determine your in-network options.
Top accepted carriers in Madison, WI include medicare, unitedhealthcare, qhp-44228, hcsc, and qhp-37833.
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.