Primary Care Visits During COVID-19
To reduce community spread of COVID-19, we're asking all patients to please call ahead before visiting a clinic and wear a mask or face covering if you have an appointment at a UnityPoint Health location. Please see our COVID-19 information page for more information.
Scheduled Virtual Visits
Taking care of yourself is still important during this time. That's why we're making it easier for you to get the care you need when you need it. We've expanded our primary care services at select clinics to include Scheduled Virtual Visits over the phone or by video. For non-urgent health concerns, please call your clinic to see if a virtual visit can be scheduled with your doctor.
Don't have a doctor? Use our online Find a Doctor tool to request a new appointment.
Some examples of conditions or questions that are a good fit for Scheduled Virtual Visits include:
- Rashes
- Mild stomach pain
- Sinus infections
- Minor injuries
- Joint pain
- Follow up on anxiety and depression
- Follow up on chronic conditions (COPD, Diabetes, Chronic Heart Failure, etc.)
- Medication checks
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
Once your virtual visit is scheduled, our team will help you get set up for your visit on smartphone, tablet or computer. You can also reference our Mobile Setup Guide or Personal Computer Setup Guide.
New Virtual Waiting Room
For primary care appointments requiring a clinic visit, we've launched a new text messaging platform to create a virtual waiting room. This platform allows you to easily communicate directly with your clinic without stepping foot in the door.
How it Works:
- You'll receive an automated appointment reminder via text message
- When you arrive, you'll reply to that message to notify the office you're there
- You'll receive a text message or phone call with instructions for registration and when to enter the building
Pediatric Appointments
For your child's pediatric appointments, we encourage you to continue well-child visits that include vaccinations – these are important for newborns and young children to help keep them and others safe. Contact your pediatric clinic before arriving to ensure you are set up with the texting platform and to ensure you're aware of any additional processes put in place for your visit.
Also, many of our pediatric clinics are now scheduling virtual visits with our patients. Some examples of conditions or questions that are a good fit for Scheduled Virtual Visits are listed above.
Chronic Health Issues
If you or a loved one have chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart disease or a suppressed immune system, we want to stress the importance of handwashing, staying at home, taking advantage of grocery delivery and limiting contact with others. Please call your clinic to discuss options for any upcoming visits.
Doctors Accepting Patients
We want you to find a primary care provider that fits your unique needs. Our primary care doctors offer specialties in pediatrics, family medicine, internal medicine and OB/GYN. The providers connected to the buttons below have availability to see you within 5 business days or less. We are typically accepting patients at all of our local clinics, please feel free to call your local clinic to check on wait time to see a provider.
How Do I Find A New Primary Care Physician?
If you're asking these questions, you've come to the right place. Whether you have moved, need a new doctor or have never had a primary care provider or physician we are here to help you establish care. We want to make it simple for you.
At UnityPoint Clinic, we believe that having a healthy relationship with your provider is the ideal way to keep you living well and taking a proactive approach to your healthcare. We encourage open conversations, yearly physicals, and the touch base through our MyUnityPoint patient portal if you need a question answered (it's an instant messenger, so no appointment needed). And better yet, you can download the app on your phone, just search "MyChart". Once you are signed up, you can schedule and reschedule your appointments through MyChart.
If you're currently not feeling well or have a chronic health condition, we are here for you and want to help know you matter the most. We work hand in hand with our specialists at Blank Children's Hospital as well as facilities in our network to make sure you are receiving the best referrals and the best health care. You are our main priority. We make it easy for you to find a doctor with locations throughout the Des Moines Metro and more than 1000 providers and specialists to choose from within our Des Moines system. Your doctor may be just around the corner.
What is Primary Care?
Primary care doctors are either trained in family medicine, internal medicine, OB/GYN or pediatrics. Functioning as the coordinator of all the health care services you might need, a primary care provider is your guide to the health system. Primary care providers often collaborate with other health care professionals to meet your needs. They can also refer patients to specialists. Primary care encourages you to take a role as a partner in your own health care.
What is Family Medicine?
Your family medicine doctor is your partner in maintaining your overall health and well-being. They serve all ages, addressing needs ranging from prevention to routine care of illness and injury to maternity care and specialized care for the most complex diseases, injuries and conditions. They know your health history and are trained to diagnose and treat most common diseases and will coordinate your health care needs with specialists and surgeons if the needs arise.
When doctors treat you for years, they get to know your medical history inside and out. That helps them make accurate diagnoses, watch for red flags regarding medications and monitor changes in your health through the years.
Your family provider doesn't just provide you with your yearly check-up. They can be your go-to for a sinus infection, sore throat or when you're having anxiety. They can guide you through diabetes, arthritis and cancer screenings. They can treat acute situations such as cold symptoms and injuries. They can help you throughout pregnancy. They also can perform minor surgical procedures, such as freezing a wart or draining an abscess.
With several convenient locations in and outside of the Des Moines metro area, we offer easy access to care. Our family medicine providers at our East Des Moines/La Clinica de la Esperanza location on East University Ave., conveniently near Lutheran Hospital, also offer OB/GYN services.
What is General Pediatrics?
Our pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners treat babies, toddlers, children, teens and young adults. Pediatricians offer a wide range of services and advanced pediatric care from well-child care, to basic childhood immunizations and illnesses, to managing complex medical conditions and chronic disorders. Our pediatricians and pediatric nurse practitioners work hand-in-hand with all pediatric specialists at Blank Children's Hospital. For a referral to a Blank Children's Hospital pediatric specialist or clinic, please speak with your pediatric provider or primary care doctor. The use of one electronic medical record for each patient ensures constant and timely communication between your child's entire medical team.
What is Internal Medicine?
Your internal medicine provider is your partner in maintaining your overall health and well-being. Internal Medicine providers (internists) serve adults addressing primary care specializing in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of adult disease with patients ranging 18 years of age and older. Your internal medicine provider is similar to a family medicine provider where they can treat you for years, and get to know you well. Having a doctor that keeps track on your medical history, helps the provider be able to make accurate diagnoses, watch for red flags regarding medications and monitor changes in your health through the years.
Your internist is trained to diagnose and treat complex illnesses and chronic diseases including but not limited to diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis and chronic respiratory diseases. They focus on preventative medicine, similar to family medicine, with mammograms, pap smears, routine colon screenings, cholesterol screenings and blood pressure screenings. If you have one or more chronic medical illnesses such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, emphysema or arthritis, it may be wise to choose an internal medicine doctor for your care.
An internal medicine provider is dedicated to investigating symptoms such as shortness of breath, trouble breathing, chest pain, abdominal pain, new occurrences of pain and back pain and will help diagnosis and provide recommendations for your health care. They are your partner in adult health care.
What is Obstetrics and Gynecology?
Our OB/GYNs are here to provide personal and compassionate care to women through all stages of life. From annual physicals to mammograms, prenatal care to cancer screenings we are here to guide you through your health care in a welcoming and caring environment. Your OB/GYN is a licensed physician and surgeon. We offer gynecological care for every stage of life. As your partner in health, you have a right to affirming, high-quality care that is both comprehensive and convenient. Our doctors and team members are prepared to address your health needs — from adolescence to menopause and beyond. For obstetrical care, an OB/GYN is a fit for high to low-risk pregnancies or an individual who has a serious medical condition such as high blood pressure, epilepsy, heart disease, diabetes or obesity.
UnityPoint Clinic - OB/GYN physicians and UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Midwives Services work extremely close together. If a patient would be better cared for at a different clinic or with a different doctor, our providers will help make this call. Your health and care are always our first priority.
What are Midwives?
Midwifery care and OB/GYN care work together. Midwifery is a good choice for a woman with a low-risk pregnancy and/or little to no medical issues. Midwives work closely with obstetrics and gynecology. Midwives can see women throughout all stages of life. Midwife Services allow for longer visits and may be able to offer more of a support system to you throughout your pregnancy. Midwives have the ability to offer you more time, and with this can focus on nutrition, exercise, mental health and more. As a profession, Midwives are supporters of vaginal births and do not perform Cesarean sections. If you had a C-section for your first child, consult with a midwife and see if a midwife can be an option for your pregnancy. Midwives are not surgeons, therefore do not perform surgeries (C-sections). Our midwives are your partner through life and provide individualized care with a holistic approach.
Where do I find LGBTQ health care?
We offer dedicated health services in a comfortable, caring environment to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, gender non-conforming, genderqueer, gender fluid, and anyone who identifies as part of the LGBTQ communities. Request an appointment here.
Where is an Urgent Care near me?
We understand that urgent medical concerns may come up at times when your primary care doctor is not open or available. That's why our Urgent Care team is here and ready to help with your non-emergency needs. We make it easy for you to find an urgent care location throughout the Des Moines metro. If you're sick and bed and the thought of waiting in a waiting room with other sick people sounds awful - we get it and already thought through this for you. UnityPoint Clinic offers to reserve your spot, so you can schedule your appointment online. Think of it as a reservation at a restaurant - because you skip the wait and get in quick. When you arrive at your urgent care location, let the receptionist know you reserved your spot online, similar to a restaurant, so they know you came and are there ready to go.
Specialty Services