As a primary care doctor, I hear the same question countless times from my Medicare patients: "Do I really need to come in and see you every year if I'm feeling fine?" The short answer is yes. Your annual wellness visit isn't just a routine appointment. It is one of the most valuable hours you can invest in your long-term health.
You may view this yearly visit as something you can skip when life gets busy. After all, if nothing hurts and you feel good, why take time for the visit? But this mindset overlooks the true purpose of these visits. Annual wellness exams are designed to catch health problems before they become serious, update your health roadmap, and make sure you're on track for healthy aging.
Annual wellness visits explained
An annual wellness visit is a comprehensive health assessment that focuses on prevention and early detection. Unlike sick visits where you and your doctor or advanced practice provider* (APP) address immediate concerns, wellness exams take a broader view of your health. We examine your current health status, review your medical history, discuss lifestyle factors, and create a personalized prevention plan for the year ahead.
During the annual wellness visit, you and your doctor or APP spend time talking about your health goals, concerns about aging, family history, and any changes you've noticed in your body or mind. This conversation is just as important as the physical examination because it helps your doctor or APP understand your complete health picture.
During your visit, you will:
- Update your medical history.
- Review your medications.
- Conduct appropriate health screenings based on your age and risk factors.
- Discuss lifestyle modifications that could benefit your health.
- Review your immunization status and make sure you're up to date on recommended vaccines.
Why annual wellness visits are important
Many serious health conditions develop silently. High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and even some cancers can progress for years without obvious symptoms. During routine screenings, your doctor or APP may discover early-stage conditions that, when caught early, are easier to treat and manage. Here are a few reasons why it is important to get your wellness visit every year.
- Preventing future health problems: It is important to remember that prevention is always more effective than treatment when it comes to your health. During your annual wellness visits, your healthcare team can identify risk factors and implement strategies to reduce your chances of developing chronic diseases. This might involve discussing exercise routines, nutrition counseling, stress management techniques, or medication adjustments.
- Medication management: As you age, your medication needs often change. During annual visits, your doctor or APP will review all your medications, including over-the-counter supplements, to make sure they're still necessary and working effectively together. This review can prevent dangerous drug interactions and remove medications you no longer need.
- Mental health check-ins: Annual wellness visits provide an opportunity to discuss any mental health concerns you have in a comfortable, private setting. Depression, anxiety, and cognitive changes can significantly impact your quality of life, but they're often overlooked in our busy daily lives. Regular check-ins help identify these issues early when they're most treatable.
- Updating your health roadmap: Your health needs change as you age. The screening recommendations for a 40-year-old differ significantly from those for a 65-year-old. Annual wellness visits allow your healthcare team to make sure you are following age-appropriate guidelines for mammograms, colonoscopies, bone density tests, and other important screenings. At Village Medical, we refer to this health roadmap as your Stay Well Care Plan. Click here to learn more about it.
Your annual wellness visit is an investment in your future self and your health. It's an opportunity to partner with your primary care doctor or APP in maintaining your health, catching problems early, and aging as gracefully as possible.
If you haven't had a wellness visit in the past year, schedule your appointment today. Taking this proactive step puts you in control of your health journey and sets the foundation for many healthy years ahead.
* An advanced practice provider includes a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.