Demystifying the Differences: Wellness Visits vs Physicals

Demystifying the Differences: Wellness Visits vs Physicals

As much as we’d like to believe that visiting the doctor once a year addresses all our health concerns, there are two different types of medical visits that serve specific purposes – wellness visits and physicals. While both are important, they are not the same thing. Understanding the differences between the two can make it easier to prepare for and get the most out of each visit.

What’s a Wellness Visit?

Essentially, a wellness visit focuses on promoting overall well-being and disease prevention. It’s not just about treating an immediate issue – it’s intended to monitor and maintain your health holistically. Your doctor will discuss topics like healthy lifestyle habits, mental health, and disease risk factors. A wellness visit can include:

– Reviewing medical history
– Updating immunizations
– Performing routine screenings for cancer, high blood pressure, or other conditions based on age or sex
– Discussing and creating a personalized plan for maintaining good health

What’s a Physical?

During a physical, a health care provider will perform a thorough evaluation of your total body health, including listening to your heart and lungs, taking your vital signs, and checking your reflexes. Blood and urine tests may be ordered to screen for illnesses or to monitor chronic diseases. Generally, a physical will include:

– A head-to-toe exam
– Height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) measurement
– Blood pressure and pulse checks
– Lab work or other tests as needed
– A conversation with the provider about any concerns or health issues you may be experiencing

How Are They Different?

While wellness visits and physicals share some common elements, they differ in their goals and emphases. Wellness visits are designed to help you maintain good health and prevent disease, while physicals are more focused on diagnosing and treating health concerns that you may already have. Both kinds of visits can include screenings and lab work, but wellness visits tend to focus more on providing personalized health advice, as opposed to diagnosing illnesses.

Cost is another area where they differ. Many insurance plans will cover a wellness visit annually, while physicals are often covered once every two to five years, depending on age and other factors. Understanding your insurance policy is important to avoid any hidden costs.

When to Book What

It can be tough to know when to schedule a wellness visit or a physical. Here are some general recommendations:

– Wellness Visit: Book at least once a year to monitor overall health and establish good lifestyle habits.
– Physical: Book every two to five years (depending on age or other factors), or as advised by your provider when you have a health concern that needs evaluation.

Wrapping Up

Both wellness visits and physicals are important parts of staying healthy, but they serve different functions and require different levels of preparation. Understanding the differences between the two and knowing when to schedule each type of visit can help you get the most out of your time with your healthcare provider and make the most informed decisions about your health.

Speech tips:

Please note that any statements involving politics will not be approved.