Preventive care at no additional cost
Most health plans include an annual wellness visit at little to no cost, although additional costs may be related to any follow-up visits or additional tests that result from preventive care visits.During your wellness visit
Your doctor will often do the following during your visit:- Check your blood pressure, height and weight and get routine measurements
- Take routine labs like blood and urine to screen for diabetes, high cholesterol and kidney function (check your benefits if you are not sure it is covered under wellness)
- Review your personal/family medical history.
- Check mental functions (like concentration and memory)
- Review your medications or adjust dosages and note any new meds you may have been prescribed by other doctors
- Talk about any specialists you’ve seen
- Recommend health screenings
- Discuss health risks and treatment options
- Offer personalized advice
Make the most of your annual wellness visit
While at your doctor's office, you should do the following:- Brush up on your family medical history
- Document your health issues and any changes (noting when they began)
- Make notes of your health concerns and problems
- Take a list of your prescriptions, dosages and who prescribed them
- Make a list of any over-the-counter medications and supplements you take