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Why you should have an annual wellness exam

It’s important to go to your doctor every year for an annual wellness exam, even if you aren’t sick. And the sooner you can see your provider, the better. When you have your annual wellness exam early in the year, you can work with your doctor to set up a care plan and schedule any follow-up preventive care for later in the year.

person in doctor officeWhat is an annual wellness exam?

An annual wellness exam is a yearly visit you have with your doctor to talk about your overall health. During this time, your doctor can ask you questions about your health, screen for illnesses and order tests. An annual wellness exam is the perfect time to talk with your doctor about preventive care.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), getting routine preventive care can help you live a healthier life.Annual wellness exams also give your doctor the opportunity to create a health plan for you to help address any current or potential health issues. 

What to expect during a wellness visit

When you meet with your doctor for an annual wellness exam, they will want to review any existing conditions you may have to see if there are any changes in your health. Your doctor will also do some general routine health checks.

General health checks

What your doctor talks to you about at your annual wellness exam may vary based on your age, but may include:

  • Recording your height and weight to measure your body mass index (BMI)
  • Listening to your heart and lungs
  • Checking your ears and eyes
  • Checking your heart rate and blood pressure
  • Asking you about any medications and/or supplements you may be taking

Here are some questions to ask your provider about these checks:

  • What are some ways that I can keep my BMI at a healthy level?
  • What are some healthy changes I can make to my eating habits?
  • What should my weight be to keep me within a healthy BMI range?
  • How can I improve my blood pressure?

Depending on the visit, your doctor may schedule follow-up visits, too.

Additional preventive care

In addition to general health checks, your doctor may tell you about any preventive care services you may need. Preventive care generally refers to services that are aimed at preventing illnesses and diseases before they happen, and can include things like cancer screenings, diabetes and cholesterol screenings, as well as vaccines for the flu and human papillomavirus (HPV).

Preventive screenings

Here are some common preventive cancer screenings recommended by the CDC, which your doctor may mention to you:

According to the World Health Organization, detecting cancer early or before it develops can help ensure treatment is easier, more effective and less expensive.

Cholesterol screening

Cholesterol screening is done by testing a blood sample to measure the levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), high-density lipoproteins (HDL), and triglycerides in your blood. LDL cholesterol is considered bad cholesterol and can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol, also called good cholesterol, is good and can help lower your risk of heart disease and stroke. Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood, which your body uses for energy.

Here are some questions you can ask your doctor about your cholesterol:

  • Is my cholesterol at a healthy level?
  • How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
  • What can I do to raise my good cholesterol?
  • Should I make any lifestyle changes to improve my cholesterol?

Blood sugar A1C testing

Your doctor may want you to get an A1C test to measure your blood sugar to see if you’re at risk of diabetes. If your doctor recommends an A1C test, here are some questions to ask them:

  • What should my A1C numbers be?
  • What should I be doing to keep my numbers in a healthy range?
  • How often should I be getting my A1C tested?

We have more information about A1C levels in this blog.

Eye exam

Depending on your risk of certain diseases, your doctor may recommend you get an eye exam. Comprehensive eye exams cover more than standard vision screening, as they also look at the structures of the eye for any signs of health issues and diseases. So getting a routine eye exam is good for your overall health, too.

Preventive vaccines

Additionally, your doctor may talk with you about staying up to date on preventive vaccines and booster shots. Here are some of the common ones:

  • Flu (every year)
  • COVID-19
  • Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine (up to age 26)
  • Tetanus and diphtheria (Td) or tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (Tdap)

What to tell your doctor during your annual wellness exam

When you meet with your doctor for an annual wellness exam, let them know about any health and lifestyle changes or events. Keeping your doctor informed of your health will help them have a better picture about your overall health and wellbeing.

Here are some things to share with your doctor the next time you meet:

  • New medications and/or supplements that you are taking, including allergy and pain-relieving medicines, or new prescription drugs or treatment plans
  • Any new diagnosis you may have received after seeing a specialist, such as an eye doctor or mental health specialist
  • Recent hospital visits or hospitalizations since your last annual wellness exam
  • Any new lifestyle changes, such as starting a new exercise routine or making changes to your diet

Don’t have a doctor? We can help.

Having a provider who you go to regularly for all your primary care needs is an important part of getting and staying healthy. Blue Cross of Idaho members can find an in-network provider in a few different ways.

On the Blue Cross of Idaho member website

Log in to your member account and select Find Care. There, you can search and find a list of providers in your network.

Use our member app

Log in to the Blue Cross of Idaho member app and select Find Care to search for care, at home or on the go. From there you can search for the name of a provider or select an option like Urgent Care or Medical Care to find a list of results.

Download the member app from the App Store or Google Play Store.

Call for help

Call the Blue Cross of Idaho Customer Service Department at the number on the back of your member ID card.

 

Written by: Blue Cross of Idaho

Updated: February 11, 2025

Posted: February 1, 2024