Surveys have shown that more than 9 in 10 people believe and annual physical is important, but less than two-thirds actually schedule one. Why is that?
To find out, WellTuned spoke with Dr. Susan Owensby, a medical director at BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee.
“Appointment logjams can occur at the beginning of the year as people look to start the new year on a healthy note. Appointments can also be harder to get at the end of the year when people rush to use insurance benefits before they reset,” Dr. Owensby says.
“These logjams can make it more difficult to get an appointment which increases the chances of people skipping the appointment altogether.”
Why do people skip annual physicals?
Dr. Owensby: There are a variety of reasons people skip these important health appointments, including:
- “I feel fine” mentality
- Work and family schedule restraints
- Fear of receiving bad news
- Being uncomfortable during the exam
- Lack of knowledge about scheduling, billing or insurance
When is the best time to schedule an annual physical?
Dr. Owensby: The optimal time to schedule is often April through June as you’ll miss back-to-school appointments that will be made later in the summer. Picking a month and sticking with it allows for consistency and helps establish a relationship with your provider.
How often should you get a physical?
Dr. Owensby: Recommendations for physicals vary by age and health status:
Under 40 and healthy: Every 2-3 years may be acceptable, though annual is recommended for prevention to assess things like body-mass index (BMI) which can help to determine a healthy weight range and vital signs like blood pressure and resting heart rate.
Over 40: Annual physicals are strongly recommended as risk for diseases increases.
Over 50: Yearly is highly recommended, especially for men due to certain screenings needed after that age and conditions which are more prevalent then.
Chronic conditions: Anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes, or other chronic issues should go annually, or more often as your doctor advises.
Important screenings can coincide with annual physical exams. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force provides recommendations for these screenings.
For example, mammogram imaging and colorectal cancer screenings are recommended for patients after 40 years of age. An annual physical exam allows for joint decision-making about screenings between the doctor and patient where they can then decide when to start or stop screenings based on the patient’s personal and family risk factors.
How to prepare for your physical
Dr. Owensby: To make the most of your visit, create a list of two or three questions to ask your provider. Taking a list of your current medications can make for a more efficient experience.
“Creating a predictable routine for your physical exam helps ensure that you’ll make and keep the appointment,” Dr. Owensby says. “Pick a month and plan to stick with it year after year.”
More from Dr. Susan Owensby on WellTuned
Get more information about specific health terms, topics and conditions to better manage your health on bcbst.com. BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee members can access wellness-related discounts on fitness products, gym memberships, healthy eating and more through Blue365®. BCBST members can also find tools and resources to help improve health and well-being by logging into BlueAccess and going to the Managing Your Health tab.