HJAR Sep/Oct 2025

36 SEP / OCT 2025 I  HEALTHCARE JOURNAL OF ARKANSAS MEDICAID COLUMN MEDICAID APPROXIMATELY 100,000 Medicaid beneficiaries in Arkansas do not have a primary care physician, or PCP. Without a PCP, people are more likely to miss regular checkups, overlook warning signs of illness, have trouble navigating the healthcare system when issues arise, and access care when costs are higher because they are sicker and/or because they use the emergency department as their source of primary care. Recognizing the seriousness of this issue, theArkansas Department of Human Services (DHS) is actively working to raise awareness among Medicaid beneficiaries about the critical role PCPs play in maintaining long- term health. “Primary care physicians are the KEEPING ARKANSANS HEALTHY: foundation of a healthy life,” said Elizabeth Pitman, DHS director. “They build trusted relationships, catch issues early, and guide patients through every stage of life. Ensuring Medicaid beneficiaries have access to a PCP is not just a goal, it’s a necessity for better health outcomes.” When individuals have a PCP, they have someone to turn to for a wide range of needs — from everyday illnesses to long-term health planning. Given the high number of Arkansas Medicaid beneficiaries who do not have PCPs, it’s clear that some beneficiaries may not fully realize why having one is so important. There are several key reasons why PCPs play a vital role in maintaining overall health and well-being. PCPs Provide Preventive Care and Early Detection PCPs help keep people healthy by giving regular checkups, shots, and health tests. These visits can catch health problems, sometimes even before a person feels sick, so they can be treated sooner, more easily, and potentially at less cost. PCPs provide routine screenings, vaccinations, and health checkups, and we know that early detection can lead to better outcomes. For example, regular blood pressure screenings can help identify hypertension early, which is one of the leading causes of heart disease. In addition to physical screenings, PCPs often conduct wellness visits that include talking about family health history and The Vital Role of Primary Care Physicians