Annual checkups help build your provider relationship

Q: I am a 39-year-old woman and haven’t been to the doctor for many years, other than to get a yearly flu shot. Are there other vaccines or tests I’m missing by not having an annual checkup? Is an annual exam really necessary if I’m not having any health issues?

A: First, let me congratulate you on getting your flu shot. Not only are you protecting yourself, you’re also protecting others from a potentially lethal disease. Reviewing your need for vaccines, such as the flu shot, as well as discussing other tests and screenings that may be right for you, are all part of an annual checkup. That review is just one of the many reasons to schedule this important visit, even when you’re a healthy adult.

For adults, periodic checkups usually involve a visit to a primary care provider in family medicine or internal medicine. For women, a health care professional in gynecology or in women’s health may be a primary care provider in some cases.

Patients often mention that one potential barrier to having a regular checkup is cost. However, the majority of medical insurance plans typically allow for an annual wellness visit. Review your benefit options with your insurance carrier prior to your checkup so you know what may or may not be covered.

Most health care providers strongly agree that regular visits to a primary care provider help build a relationship. And that relationship allows your provider to offer you the best overall care, tailored to your individual needs.

At your first visit, you and your health care provider can review your medical and family history, and based on that, along with your age, determine the interval of regular checkups, screenings, tests and vaccines that’s right for you. For most adults, an annual checkup is appropriate. The time between visits may be a bit longer for younger people who have few risk factors. But there should never be more than three years between checkups.

Overall, it is important to stay up to date on all your recommended screenings and vaccines, and a regular checkup will ensure this occurs. But more importantly, the time spent faceto-face building a relationship with your primary care provider will allow you to create an individualized care plan that meets your needs and optimizes health outcomes.