Understanding your annual physical: what to expect

An annual physical is a yearly checkup for adults that brings screening, prevention, and a review of your overall health into one visit. It is a good fit for any adult 18 or older, whether you feel great or have a few concerns on your mind. Our providers offer annual physicals at our Hudson and Trinity offices, and the visit is one of the most useful appointments you can make each year.

A physical covers more than a blood pressure cuff. It is your chance to check in on everything that has changed since last year and to plan ahead for the year to come.

Before you arrive

A little preparation makes the visit more productive. Try to bring:

• A current list of your medications, vitamins, and supplements, with doses
• Any new symptoms you have noticed, even small ones
• Updates on your family's health history
• Records or results from other doctors, if you have them (our guide to switching doctors and requesting records explains how)
• The questions you want answered, written down

If you are due for certain labs, we may ask you to come in fasting. Our team will let you know ahead of time, so you can plan your morning.

What we review

Your visit usually starts with vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, weight, and other basics. From there, your provider reviews your health history, updates your medication list, and talks through anything on your mind. No topic is too small. Sleep, mood, energy, digestion, and daily habits all affect your health and are welcome parts of the conversation.

Your provider will also do a physical exam. This may include listening to your heart and lungs, checking your abdomen, and looking at your skin, among other things, based on your needs.

Screenings based on your age and risk

Depending on your age, sex, and family history, your visit may include:

• Cholesterol and blood sugar testing
• Kidney and thyroid labs when appropriate
• Cancer screening referrals, such as for colon or breast cancer screening
• An EKG to check your heart rhythm
• A review of recommended vaccines

We tailor each visit to you instead of running a one size fits all checklist. Our offices handle blood draws and lab work in house, and an EKG can be done in the office with results reviewed during the same visit.

Annual physical and the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit

If you have Medicare, it helps to know the difference between two visit types. (New to Medicare? See how the Welcome to Medicare visit compares with the Annual Wellness Visit.) The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly prevention planning visit for people with Medicare Part B. It focuses on a personalized prevention plan and is not a head to toe physical exam.

If other tests or services are done during a wellness visit, they may be billed separately. Our team can help you understand which visit fits your goals. Coverage varies by plan, so we always suggest calling to verify your benefits.

Leaving with a plan

You will leave with a summary of what was discussed, any labs or tests ordered, and a clear next step. That next step may be a follow up visit, a referral, or simply confirmation that everything looks good. Your results are available in the patient portal, where you can also message your care team and manage refills.

Making the most of the year ahead

The annual physical works best as part of an ongoing relationship with your care team. Between yearly visits, you can reach out when something changes. For many follow up questions and medication checks, a secure telehealth visit may be an option. If you are managing an ongoing condition, your provider may suggest more frequent visits to stay on track. Learn more about our approach to primary care.

Call 911 if you ever have chest pain, trouble breathing, or signs of a stroke such as sudden weakness, facial drooping, or trouble speaking. These symptoms need emergency care right away.

Schedule your annual physical

New patients age 18 and older are welcome at both offices. Appointment availability is determined by the office. Call our Hudson office at (727) 605-3000 or our Trinity office at (727) 997-1635, or request an appointment online to plan your next annual physical.

This article is general health information from the Internal Medicine MD care team and is not a substitute for advice from your own provider.