An analysis in the Archives of Internal Medicine suggested that the costs of medical visits outweigh the benefits for most men and women. Prevention is not only better but also more cost-effective than the cure, and annual health checkups are the basic requirement of sound health.
These tests allow nipping prospective infections and diseases in the bud by detecting them in the early stages. A suitable treatment plan is then chalked out on their basis, which prevents these infections from spreading or becoming life-threatening. Therefore, annual health checkups are as important as health itself.
The American Academy of Paediatrics recommends that children and young people aged 3 to 21 receive a medical checkup annually. Children younger than three require more frequent visits to the hospital, and adults over the age of 21 can frequently get tested according to their health requirements.
Annual wellness examinations are a domain of preventive care focused on rooting out health problems before they occur. These examinations challenge the widely prevalent notion that one should visit the doctor only in sickness and promote the idea that prevention is far better than cure. These tests can be scheduled once every year to ensure that your health is in perfect condition. Annual wellness exams can even prove life-saving in some cases.
Most people do not believe in going to the doctor when nothing is wrong. That is not an appropriate attitude towards healthcare. Annual wellness exams are the perfect opportunity for you to take up any health concerns, no matter how minor, with your medical practitioner and get their opinion on them. This also allows you to develop a deeper connection with your primary care provider, which can prove helpful in the long run or in case of any medical emergencies.
According to the National Library of Medicine, an annual physical exam for an adult typically includes blood pressure screening, cholesterol testing, blood glucose screening, bone density examination, prostate or testicular exams, pap smear testing, vaccinations, and breast examinations. BMI monitoring, lifestyle consultation, and weight loss techniques may also be covered in such exams. In contrast, a child's annual screening test focuses on developmental milestones such as weight and height evaluation, blood pressure testing, sleep pattern monitoring, exercise habits, and diet. Doctors may also recommend vaccinations depending upon a child's medical history.
A general medical practitioner or general internist typically carries out annual physical health checkups. Health insurers usually cover these yearly checkups, and many of them offer such examinations for free as well. According to an analysis by the Archives of Internal Medicine, an average annual physical takes an average of 23.1 minutes. However, time depends significantly on how a medical practitioner manages and utilizes time. The time is taken up by the medical practitioner during the exam and the use of the medical facility are the prime contributors to costs. Several health plans offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS) and CIGNA cover all the expenditures of an annual health exam.
In compliance with the Affordable Care Act that was signed into law in 2010, several health insurers provide a number of preventive services and screening procedures at no additional costs to patients. These medical procedures include:
Blood pressure testing
Cholesterol testing
Mammograms
Routine vaccinations
However, plans that were passed before the promulgation of this act do not comply with these requirements and may not cover additional testing and medical services. Different insurance plans may have different coverages, and it is significant to look into your plan to get to know more about these intricacies. The American Academy of Family Physicians recommends the same to patients and calls for them to read their insurance policies prior to an exam. This way, they can be on the same page as their insurance company and know which medical services will be paid for before availing them.
Patients who do not have health insurance can benefit from walk-in clinics, which are a mainstay for corporations like Walmart and CVS that offer medical services at considerably reduced costs. For example, at Walmart's Get Well Stay Well visits, particular routine and preventive health services, including blood pressure screenings and cholesterol testing, can be carried out for as low as $65 or even less. In contrast, physician assistants and nurse practitioners at CVS's MinuteClinics offer physical examinations for adults and children for approximately $59 or less. Some hospitals and doctors also provide special programs and discounts for annual health checkups, such as Cura4U, where you can get specialized health care at the lowest possible cost.
Other programs such as Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program offer low-cost or no-cost health insurance coverage for vaccinations and doctor visits to teenagers, children, and their parents. Moreover, patient assistance programs run by significant pharmaceutical companies such as GlaxoSmithKline and Merck, along with the federal government's Vaccines for Children program, allow eligible people to get vaccinations free of cost.
Cura4U boasts the highest quality healthcare facilities with the lowest possible prices in the United States. Experts at Cura4U aim at sustaining your health, and thus bring to you the most incredible annual health examination deal of all time: get tested for health complications related to cardiovascular disorders, kidney diseases, blood disorders, liver function complications, diabetes, and high cholesterol all in $99 only!
Individuals without insurance do not need to worry, as health at Cura4U comes before money. By becoming a part of the Cura4U family, you can get the following tests at incredible rates:
Complete Blood Count
Complete Lipid Profile
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel testing
Urinalysis
You can get these lab tests done at any Quest lab, as per your convenience and availability. The lab results are interpreted with care by medical experts, who then provide you with a thorough online consultation once the results are out and suggest any medications or diagnostics if required. Head over to Cura4U right now to avail this incredible opportunity!
Sirpa Talvikki Autio MD
