I want to walk you through how to prepare for your annual wellness exam, what to expect during the visit and why it’s so important for your overall health.
The annual wellness exam is a dedicated time for us to take a comprehensive look at your health, identify potential risks and plan for the year ahead. Unlike a sick visit or a follow-up, this appointment allows us to spend more time reviewing everything from your medical history to your lifestyle, it gives us the opportunity to catch things that might have gone unnoticed over the past year, and it helps you build a good relationship with your primary care provider.
Before your visit
Start by checking your insurance coverage — most plans will cover one annual wellness visit per year, including labs, but it’s always best to confirm this beforehand. Also, if you’ve seen any specialists outside of our network, gather your records or request that they be sent to our office in advance. It’s really helpful to have everything in one place.
One of the most important things you can do is bring an up-to-date list of your medications. Even if we already have a list on file, it may need updating. Include the name, dosage and how often you take each one. Some patients find it easiest to keep a note on their phone or take photos of the actual medication bottles.
What happens during the visit
When you arrive, one of our medical assistants will bring you back and review your current health concerns, medications and any updates to your health. They'll also check your vital signs — things like height, weight, blood pressure and temperature — which help us get a good snapshot of your overall health.
We'll review your preventative screenings to make sure you're up to date. For example:
- Colonoscopies now start at age 45.
- Mammograms are recommended annually for women 40 and up.
- Pap smears usually begin at 21 unless you're sexually active earlier.
- Cardiac screening typically starts around age 50.
- We’ll also talk about dental care, vision, hearing and skin checks.
If you wear glasses or contacts, it's important to have an annual eye exam. And I always recommend a yearly full-body dermatology check, especially if you're fair-skinned or spend a lot of time in the sun.
Lab testing
We can draw labs a few days before your appointment so we have results ready to review with you. These labs can tell us a lot, like your cholesterol, kidney and liver function, thyroid levels, blood sugar (A1C), PSA for men over 40, and more, depending on your personal or family history.
The physical exam
This is a basic head-to-toe check: we listen to your heart and lungs, check your reflexes, examine your eyes and ears, and make sure everything looks and feels balanced and healthy. We’ll also go over your medications and may adjust doses or refill prescriptions if needed.
If there’s anything concerning in your labs or physical exam, we’ll talk about next steps — whether that’s changing your diet, adding exercise, or starting a medication. This is a great time to discuss your health goals and build a plan for the year ahead.
Your wellness exam is a cornerstone of good preventative care and an important way to build a strong relationship with your primary care provider. I hope this helps you feel more confident and prepared for your next visit!
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