The role of the primary care physician in providing primary psychiatry care is fast becoming defined for him by society. The World Health Organisation has already stated the concepts with the paradigm shift from mental disease to positive mental health. To play this role effectively, there is a need to recognise what needs to be done, the support that he will need, and what he can do best. These aspects are discussed in the context of bipolar disorder. Understanding that bipolar disorder is a life long disease that requires recognition, acute management and assessment of response, management during remission, management of recurrence and relapse is the important first step. Bipolar disorder mimics unipolar depression and hence the need to be vigilant. Unrecognised or inadequately managed, bipolar disorder has a high cost to the patient and society. The need for supporting care from family members and other caregivers also needs recognition and action by all the stakeholders. What the primary care physician can do best is the application of the principles of primary, personal, preventive, comprehensive, continuing, and co-ordinated care to the patient, family, and community in the total management of this condition. In Singapore, there are now 4 mental health conditions in MOH’s chronic disease management programme where the patient and children’s Medisave accounts can be tapped to help provide a part the money needed, and Bipolar Disorder is one of them. The primary care physician has also an administrative role to help the patient make Medisave claims.