What’s the Difference Between a Primary Care Provider (PCP) and Parsley Health?

“I’d been told for years that my labs are ‘normal,’ but I still didn’t feel like myself.” That’s how Rose Marie, a recent Parsley Health member, described her experience before finding Parsley. She had been dismissed by doctors despite fatigue, gut issues, and hormonal shifts. At Parsley, she finally felt heard. Her doctor took the time to run extensive bloodwork and address the immune system to understand why it was failing, and they did it in a way that “made me feel they actually cared. I feel better mentally, physically, and spiritually.”

She’s not alone. Another member spent 12 years visiting specialists for her joint pain and fatigue. At Parsley, comprehensive testing revealed the gut issues that were driving her inflammation. Six months in, she was off 3 medications and had more energy that she did in her 30s. “The difference is they treated root causes, not just symptoms.”

These are the kinds of transformations that highlight a key truth: Parsley Health is not a Primary Care Provider (PCP). We’re something different, and for many, something more.

Parsley Health Complements Your PCP

If you’ve ever wondered how Parsley Health compares to your Primary Care Provider (PCP), you’re not alone. Many of our members ask: “Do I need both?”

The short answer: Parsley isn’t here to replace your PCP — we’re here to give you the deeper, root-cause care you’ve been missing.

“But what if I already have a PCP? Is Parsley worth it?”

We may be biased, but our answer is a resounding yes. 

For routine check-ups, vaccines, or urgent medical needs, we recommend keeping an established relationship with a local PCP. 

Parsley Health is designed to complement and not replace that care.

Many members find that using Parsley as their central care team — alongside a PCP for urgent or procedural needs — gives them a more complete, supportive healthcare experience.

Here’s a deeper dive into what that can look like for you:

What Is a Primary Care Provider (PCP)?

A primary care provider (PCP) is your first point of contact in conventional healthcare. They are responsible for things like:

• Annual physical exams
• Same-day or urgent visits
• Vaccines and age-related screenings (like mammograms and colonoscopies)
• Pap smears and other preventive procedures
• Managing and coordinating specialist referrals
• Completing forms like disability or FMLA paperwork

PCPs are essential for urgent and routine in-person medical needs. If you break a bone, need a pap smear, or require urgent care, your PCP is the right place to go.

What Is Parsley Health?

Parsley Health delivers a different kind of care. While we are not a PCP, our clinicians are board-certified in internal and family medicine and additionally trained in root-cause, functional medicine.

That means:

• We don’t just ask, “What brings you in today?” We ask, “What are your long-term health goals, and how can we help you get there?”
• We don’t just tell you your labs are “normal.” We order functional labs that track advanced biomarkers and show you what’s optimal for your unique body, and that let us know where problems may lie.
• We don’t just prescribe and move on. We design personalized plans that include nutrition, lifestyle, supplements, and medication when needed

Our world-class doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants are trained in primary care specialties like internal and family medicine. We are equipped to support a wide range of both basic and complex health needs, and many members choose to use Parsley as their central point of care.

We don’t just focus on treating symptoms when you’re sick — we partner with you to identify the underlying factors contributing to your health concerns, and help you optimize your long-term well-being.

A PCP is focused on alleviating your immediate symptoms. Parsley is ready to dive deeper into the root cause, and understand why you have those symptoms, so that any treatment can ensure that they do not return or become a chronic problem. A PCP may tell you that your labs are in range based on universal averages. Parsley shares more functional ranges based on your individual needs and health story.

With Parsley, you get:

• Care for any health concern, from new symptoms to chronic conditions
• Telemedicine visits are available nationwide, and in-person visits are available in New York City and Los Angeles
• Secure messaging with your care team during business hours (Monday–Friday)
• Most prescriptions and refills (except controlled substances)
• Referrals to specialists with coordination support
• An entire coordinated team (clinician, health coach, RN care manager, and care coordinator) focused on your long-term wellness

Our goal is to be proactive and personalized: supporting you not just when you’re unwell, but every step of the way as you work toward better health.

Want to know if Parsley is a fit for your health needs? Take our Symptom Quiz and see how our approach might help.

What Parsley Health Does Not Include

Because Parsley Health is not a PCP, we do not provide:

• Same-day or urgent visits
• Physical exams
• Vaccines
• Pap smears (we recommend maintaining an OB-GYN for these)
• Age-related screenings (your Parsley provider will remind you when they’re due)
• Prescribing controlled substances
• Completing disability or FMLA paperwork

That’s why we recommend keeping a PCP for urgent, procedural, and local in-person needs. If you have a medical emergency, we recommend visiting urgent care or the ER.

PCP vs. Parsley Health Services: Key Differences That Matter

Here’s how your experience will feel different: 

Primary Care Provider (PCP)

• ~15-minute visits
• Focus on urgent or immediate symptoms
• Labs based on “normal” ranges
• Referrals to multiple specialists
• Annual physicals, vaccines, and screenings
• Procedural and urgent care

Parsley Health

• 60-minute visits that cover your full story: symptoms, nutrition, sleep, stress, and goals
• Focus on uncovering and treating the root cause so symptoms don’t come back
• Advanced testing (100+ biomarkers) + functional ranges that reveal what’s really going on
• One integrated team that connects the dots across your gut, hormones, metabolism, and more
• Ongoing support for complex, chronic, or unexplained health issues
• Long-term health optimization and prevention

Who Should Consider Parsley Health?

Parsley may be right for you if you:

• Struggle with ongoing symptoms or chronic conditions and want deeper answers
• Have been told your labs are “normal,” but still don’t feel well
• Want a doctor who listens, takes time, and looks at the whole picture
• Prefer telemedicine first with easy messaging access
• Are motivated to take a proactive, long-term approach to your health

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Parsley Health prescribe medications?

Yes. We can manage most prescriptions, refills, and ongoing medication needs. We do not prescribe controlled substances.

Does Parsley Health replace my PCP?

No. Parsley Health is not a PCP. We recommend maintaining a PCP for urgent care, physical exams, vaccines, and screenings.

Can I use Parsley Health as my main doctor?

Yes, many members do. While we don’t provide urgent or in-person procedures, we can be your central point of care for most ongoing health concerns.

What if I need a specialist?

Parsley Health can refer you to a specialist when clinically indicated and assist you in finding the right provider.

How is Parsley Health different from a typical doctor’s office?

Traditional PCP visits often focus on short, symptom-based appointments. At Parsley, visits are longer, care is proactive, and our focus is on identifying root causes and supporting long-term wellness.

The Bottom Line

A Parsley Health doctor is the missing piece in your healthcare, even if they are not your PCP. 

Your PCP is there for urgent, procedural, and preventive needs. Parsley is here for everything else: the fatigue no one can explain, the hormones that feel out of balance, the gut issues that steal your energy, the brain fog that makes you feel unlike yourself.

With Parsley, you gain a team of clinicians who are trained to look deeper and help you feel better, for good. That’s why 85–90% of our members reduce or resolve symptoms within their first year.

Curious to see how Parsley can fit into your healthcare journey? Book a free consultation or sign up directly for care today and take the first step toward the future of your health.