ANNUAL WELLNESS VISITS

A proactive approach to your health and wellness plan for all stages of life.

Wellness screenings save lives, so it’s so incredibly important to ask your doctor. Depending on your family history and lifestyle, they may recommend screenings sooner than the ages listed here. Regardless, staying on top of your screening schedule will give you peace of mind for now, and all the years to come. To get the most out of these preventative screenings, we recommend that you:
  1. Write down questions you may have for your provider ahead of time and take notes during your appointment
  2. Make a list of known family history to share with your primary care physician.
  3. Bring a list of your medications and supplements with you and share that information with your provider as well.
Your annual wellness screening is an opportunity to take control of your personal health and work with your provider to make shared decisions. Services available to you may differ based on your history, current symptoms, and health insurance provider.

Overview of screenings by age group:

BABY & CHILD WELL-CHECKS

Well-baby & child exams are an important way to monitor your baby’s growth and development and check for serious problems. These regular checkups also provide an opportunity to develop a relationship with your primary care physician and make a healthcare plan for your child.
The typical schedule for baby & child checks are as follows:
  • 2-5 days
  • 2 weeks
  • 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 12 months
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 3 years
  • 4 years
  • 5-6 years
  • 7-8 years
  • 9-11 years
  • 12-14 years
  • 15-17 years

18 - 39 YEARS OLD

This age range is most likely to miss annual screenings. Busy work and family lives keep healthy adults from seeing their primary care provider. Annual screenings are typically covered by insurance and recommended on a yearly basis. Preventive health screenings help people understand their risk for developing chronic conditions before symptoms are present, while they can still take action.

This annual screening would typically include:

  • Weight and Height
  • Blood Pressure
  • Cholesterol Check
  • Skin Screening
  • Historical illness screenings for known family medical issues such as heart conditions, diabetes, and cancer.
  • Diabetes Screening
  • Immunizations
  • Depression Screening

Blood Work is done annually and may include:

  • HDL and LDL cholesterol
  • Complete Blood Count
  • Basic or Complete Metabolic Panel
  • Thyroid Panel
  • Liver Enzyme Markers
  • Sexually Transmitted Disease Tests
  • Plasma Glucose

Extra Screenings for Women

  • Cervical Cancer Screening: Pap smears every 3 years
  • The HPV vaccine: If not received as an adolescent
  • Breast Exam: A self-exam should be performed by you at home monthly and by your clinical provider yearly.
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on lifestyle or patient request.

Extra Screenings for Men

  • Sexually Transmitted Infections: Depending on lifestyle or patient request.
  • Testicular Exam: Home self-exams can be done as well.

40 - 64 YEARS OLD

The screenings completed for adults ages 40 to 64 years of age will continue annually based on your medical history.

Additional health screenings, tests, and vaccines include:  
  • Shingles Vaccine: Two doses separated by 2 to 6 months given at age 50 and up.
  • Flu Shot
  • Colorectal Screening: Age 50 and up unless other risk factors are present.
  • Colonoscopy: May be needed based on medical history.
  • Osteoporosis Screening: Age 50 and up with risk factors.
  • Lung Cancer Screening: Annually if a past smoker. According to the American Lung Association adults, age 55 years and up, can have this screening covered by their insurance.
  • Depression Screening: Mental health assessment

Extra Screenings for Women:

  • Annual Blood Work: Continue annual exams as established in earlier years.
  • Mammogram: Annually or Bi-annually based on your risk factors.
  • Pelvic Exam: Physical exam and Pap smear every 3 years or more frequently based on history and risk factors.

Extra Screenings for Men:

  • Prostate Exam: Age 50 and up unless other risk factors are present.

65 + YEARS OLD

Annual Wellness Visits are a Medicare-covered service that is recommended to everyone over 65 years old. This is an opportunity for you to create &  maintain your health plan. Further appointments may be needed for additional screenings.
Many tests that were optional in the other categories will become recommended by age 65 and more readily covered by insurance companies or Medicare. These tests are essential to evaluating overall health and continuing to maintain health at this age.

Additional screenings can include:

  • Colorectal Cancer Screening: Baseline test if not done previously and continued tests based on baseline results.
  • Height and Weight: Although this is a screening performed every year, as you age height becomes more important as shrinking height could be a sign of osteoporosis.
  • Fall Prevention Screening: Baseline and then as needed.
  • Depression Screening: Mental health assessment
  • High Dose Flu Vaccine: Fluzone High-Dose is only available to adults 65 years old and older according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Extra Screenings for Women:

  • Cervical Cancer Screening: Most women can stop having Pap smears if they have no history of cervical cancer. If a hysterectomy has taken place then no pelvic exam may be necessary.
  • Osteoporosis Screening: Women are at higher risk for osteoporosis and will be screened more regularly at this age. (Baseline at 65 years old, if not already established, and additional screening based on the results)

Extra Screenings for Men:

  • Prostate Screenings: Continue annually.
  • Osteoporosis Screening: Every 5 years after the baseline is established.
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