Medicare wellness visit
A yearly, conversation-based visit to review your health and build a personal prevention plan with Medicare.
Learn moreWhy a yearly physical is worth your time
An annual physical is a planned checkup when you're not sick. It gives you and your provider time to look at the big picture: how you're feeling, what has changed in the past year and what you can do to stay healthy. It's also a chance to catch problems early, often before they cause symptoms.
Patients come to Beckett Ridge Family Medicine for physicals from across West Chester Township, Liberty Township and Fairfield. Because we see the whole family, you can often schedule physicals for several family members with the same practice.
What we check during your physical
Every physical is shaped around your age, health history and concerns. Most visits include:
- A review of your history. We go over your medical history, past surgeries, family history and any changes since your last visit.
- Vital signs. We check your blood pressure, heart rate, height and weight.
- A physical exam. Your provider listens to your heart and lungs and examines you based on your age and needs.
- Lab work as needed. Your provider may order blood work or other labs based on your age, history and risk factors. Not every patient needs labs every year.
- A medication review. We go through your prescriptions, over-the-counter medicines and supplements to make sure they still make sense together.
- Lifestyle and prevention. We talk about sleep, diet, physical activity, stress, tobacco and alcohol use, and anything else on your mind.
Preventive screenings by age
Screenings look for health problems before you notice symptoms. Which ones make sense for you depends on your age, sex, family history and other risk factors. We follow national guidance, including the recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, and talk with you about what fits your situation.
Depending on your age and risk, screenings may cover:
- High blood pressure
- Cholesterol and heart disease risk
- Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes
- Certain cancers, such as breast, cervical, colorectal and lung cancer
Some screenings happen during your visit. Others may need a referral to another office. Your provider will explain what's recommended for you and why, and you decide together what to do next.
If you're 65 or older and have Medicare, you may also want to schedule a Medicare yearly wellness visit. It's a different kind of visit, focused on a prevention plan rather than a head-to-toe exam.
Physical visit or problem visit: what's the difference?
A physical is about prevention. A problem visit is about a specific concern, such as a new pain, a rash or a chronic condition that needs adjusting.
It's natural to want to bring up everything at once. If a new problem comes up during your physical, your provider may handle it then or suggest a separate visit so it gets the time it needs. When part of a visit is spent on a new problem or an ongoing condition, that part may be billed as a separate office visit. If you have questions about how your plan handles this, call us before your visit.
Insurance and your physical
Many plans include preventive care benefits, but what's included depends on your plan. Call us and we'll help you check. For billing questions after your visit, you can reach our billing company at (607) 760-1326.
Feeling tired or foggy?
If you've been dealing with fatigue, brain fog or memory concerns, mention it at your physical. Your provider can look for common causes. If symptoms continue, our functional medicine-informed care offers a deeper look.
