Annual checkups are an important part of staying healthy, even when you feel well. A yearly visit with your primary care provider can help you stay up to date on preventive care, screenings and vaccines. It also gives you time to talk about health changes, risk factors and ways to prevent future problems.
Many serious health conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and some cancers, may not cause symptoms at first. Regular checkups can help catch warning signs early, when conditions may be easier to treat or manage.
What is an annual checkup?
An annual checkup, also called a wellness visit, yearly physical or preventive care visit, is a routine visit with your primary care provider. The goal is to review your overall health, identify risks and create a care plan based on your age, health history and lifestyle.
This visit may look different for each person. Your provider may ask about your medical history, family health history, medications, daily habits, symptoms and health goals.
Why annual checkups are important
Adults need annual checkups because many health problems develop slowly. You may feel fine but still have changes in your blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar or other health markers.
A yearly checkup can help your provider:
- Find health issues before symptoms appear
- Monitor existing conditions
- Review your medications
- Recommend age-appropriate screenings
- Keep vaccines up to date
- Talk through lifestyle changes that support long-term health
- Update your care plan as your needs change
Annual visits also help you build a relationship with your primary care provider. When your provider knows your health history, they may be better able to notice changes and help you make informed decisions about your care.
What happens at an annual checkup?
Your annual checkup may include:
- A review of your medical history and family health history
- A check of your blood pressure, weight and other vital signs
- A review of medications, vitamins and supplements
- Recommended vaccines
- Lab work or blood tests, when needed
- Screening recommendations based on your age and risk factors
- A conversation about mental health, sleep, stress, diet, exercise and substance use
- Referrals to specialists, when needed
Your provider may also ask about changes in your body, daily habits or health goals. These conversations can help guide next steps in your care.
What screenings and vaccines do adults need?
The screenings you need depend on your age, sex, health history, family history and risk factors. Your provider may recommend screenings for:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Colorectal cancer
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Prostate cancer
- Osteoporosis
- Depression or anxiety
- Memory changes
- Vision or hearing problems
Screening schedules are not the same for everyone. Some adults may need certain tests earlier or more often because of personal or family health risks. Your annual checkup is a good time to ask which screenings are right for you.
Vaccines are not just for children. Adults need vaccines too, and recommendations can change as you age or if you have certain health conditions.
Your provider may talk with you about vaccines for:
- Flu
- COVID-19
- Shingles
- Pneumonia
- Tetanus, diphtheria and whooping cough
- RSV, for some adults
- Hepatitis B or other vaccines based on your health, job, travel plans or risk factors
How to prepare for your annual checkup
Before your appointment, make a short list of anything you want to discuss. This can help you make the most of your visit.
Bring or write down:
- Any symptoms or changes you have noticed
- Questions you want to ask
- Medications, vitamins and supplements you take
- Recent visits with specialists, urgent care or the emergency room
- Changes in your family health history
- Vaccine records, if available
- Health goals you want to work on
You do not need to wait until a problem becomes severe to bring it up. Even small changes can help your provider understand what is going on and what support may help.
What to know about insurance and Medicare
Many insurance plans cover preventive wellness visits, but coverage can vary. Lab work, imaging, screenings or follow-up visits may have separate costs. Check with your insurance provider before your appointment so you know what to expect.
If you have Medicare, you may be eligible for a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. This visit focuses on prevention and planning. It may include routine measurements, a review of your medical and family history, a review of your prescriptions and a personalized prevention plan.
A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not always the same as a full annual physical exam. It may not include every test, lab or hands-on exam you expect from a traditional physical. Ask your provider’s office and your insurance plan what is included and whether any services may have separate costs.
Takeaway
Annual checkups help adults stay on top of preventive care, health screenings, vaccines and changes that may affect long-term health. Even if you feel well, a yearly visit with your primary care provider can help catch problems earlier and support healthier aging.
If it has been more than a year since your last wellness visit, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.
Need a primary care provider? Schedule a visit with a Banner Health doctor today.
Frequently asked questions about annual checkups
What is included in an annual checkup for adults?
An annual checkup may include a review of your health history, vital signs, medications, vaccines, recommended screenings and any health concerns you want to discuss. Your provider may also talk with you about sleep, stress, nutrition, exercise and other lifestyle factors.
What is included can vary based on your age, health history, symptoms, insurance coverage and the type of visit scheduled.
Is an annual checkup the same as a physical?
The terms are often used in similar ways, but they may not always mean the same thing. A physical may include a hands-on exam, while a wellness visit often focuses on prevention, screenings, risk factors and health planning.
Your provider’s office can help explain what type of visit you are scheduled for and what may be included.
Do I need an annual checkup if I feel healthy?
Yes. Feeling healthy does not always mean there are no health risks. Some conditions, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes, may not cause symptoms until they become more serious.
An annual checkup helps you stay current on vaccines and screenings. It also gives your provider a clearer picture of your health over time.
What screenings should adults get?
The screenings adults need depend on age, sex, personal health history, family history and risk factors. Common screenings may include blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, depression and memory changes.
Your provider can help you understand which screenings you need and how often you need them.
Is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit the same as an annual physical?
No, not always. A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit focuses on prevention, health risks and creating or updating a personalized prevention plan. It may not include a full physical exam, lab work or treatment for new health concerns.
If you want to discuss a new symptom or medical problem during the same appointment, ask your provider’s office whether there may be a separate cost.
