PHYSICAL EXAM REMINDER
It is important to schedule your yearly wellness exam, as having a wellness or yearly health care visit is a great opportunity to take charge of your health. Routinely health care visits can help find problems early or prevent health problems before they occur. If health problems are discovered early, they may be easier to treat and less likely to pose serious risks to your health.
What is a Physical Exam?
A physical exam is an annual, comprehensive preventative exam with your primary care provider for the sole purpose of preventative care. These exams do not include discussion of new problems or detailed review of chronic conditions. They may also be called routine check-ups, yearly exams, an annual pap or preventative visit.
Why Are Physical Exams Needed?
Physical exams are sometimes needed as conditions of employment. It is also common for people to have physical exams at least once a year to check on the status of their overall health and wellness. A physical exam is one that is done as either en evaluation or a verification of overall health. In this type of examination, the doctor will look at the patient as a whole, watch for emerging health issues, and monitor health issues that are already known.
What Does a Physical Exam Include?
Preventative or Wellness health care exams include the following:
- Discussions of health topics relevant to your age and risk factors
- Exams
- Discussion regarding screening tests and immunizations
Will My Insurance Pay for a Physical Exam?
Most health plans will cover one wellness or preventative exam per year. Your insurance provider may consider this to be once per calendar year or one year and one day since the date of your last wellness exam.
If any other visit is billed as preventative during this time period your plan is likely to deny your wellness exam. This would include a well-woman exam or annual pap smear.
Your insurance plan may not pay for all testing and/or labs ordered during your wellness exam. You may be held financially responsible if your provider has a concern and orders diagnostic testing and/or labs during your exam. This is why it is always make sure to check with your insurance provider to see what is covered under their wellness benefit and to ensure you are eligible prior to scheduling your annual wellness exam.
What Should Patients Bring to a Physical Exam?
Patient should bring medical records to the physical exam if they are seeing the doctor for the first time. In some cases, patients will be able to arrange for their previous physician to send the records directly to the new doctor. All current and recent medications should be brought to the appointment. This includes not just prescription drugs but also over the counter medicine and even health or workout supplements.
Importance of Physical Exam
The saying, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” is particularly true when applied to health care. When you come to Olga Zarkh, MD, Your Personal Doctor for your annual wellness exam, you are making an important decision to take responsibility for your health and overall quality of life. Rather than treating a condition after it has progressed, preventative care focuses on preventing disease and maintaining proper health by incorporating a healthy lifestyle. Your primary care provider will be able to recommend preventative care steps and goals depending on your overall health, family history, gender and age.
Schedule Your Annual Wellness Exam Now
When it comes to your health, you want to know that you are receiving patient-centered care during your annual wellness exam. Olga Zarkh, MD, Your Personal Doctor is specialized in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of symptoms and diseases in adults of all ages. We provide comprehensive health care that is based on the patient’s family history and are committed to providing continuous quality care. Contact us to schedule your annual wellness exam today!
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Olga Zarkh, MD in Buffalo Grove, IL
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