Best Annual Physical Exam in New York

An annual physical exam is a checkup that’s done by your primary care doctor. It’s a way to assess your overall health each year and to catch signs of abnormalities as early as possible. If you’re concerned about symptoms you’re having, your NYC doctor evaluates your symptoms and may run some tests. They may also refer you to a doctor who specializes in a particular field such as a dermatologist, urologist or gynecologist.

Your annual physical exam, also called a yearly checkup or wellness check, usually takes longer than other visits to your doctor. At your annual physical in New York City, there may be a discussion of lifestyle changes to improve your health. When you visit the same doctor each year for your NYC annual physical, they get to know you and can compare your stats from year to year and monitor any changes. To stay as healthy as possible, book an appointment for a comprehensive physical exam each year.

The best annual physical exams in New York City are thorough and take at least 30 minutes.

Some things your doctor routinely checks during a New York City annual physical include:

• Height
• Weight
• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Pulse
• Temperature

After this basic information is taken, your primary care doctor reviews it along with your medical history and family history.

Some body functions checked during a comprehensive physical exam include:

• Listening to your lungs and heart
• Palpating your abdomen to check for tenderness or other abnormalities
• Looking in your ears, nose and throat
• Feeling lymph nodes
• Observing whether your skin looks healthy
• Checking reflexes and muscle tone
• Discussing any symptoms or concerns you have
• Reviewing your prescriptions to check for any interactions and to consider changes that need to be made
• Screening for cancer with tests like Pap smears and breast exams for women and prostate tests for men

A New York annual physical can be tailored to each individual. Routine lab work usually is done such as a complete blood count or urinalysis. Your doctor may recommend that you have additional screenings such as cholesterol or blood sugar and asks you questions about stress, depression and anxiety.

Many people question why they need to have an annual NYC physical when they’re in good health.

There are several reasons that it’s important to have a yearly checkup, including:

• Getting to know your doctor. Scheduling an annual appointment is a good way to establish a relationship with your NYC primary care doctor. This helps your doctor get to know you and quickly recognize when something seems abnormal.
• Receiving the screenings you need. Your primary care doctor coordinates the different screenings you need and when you should have them next. Examples include a colonoscopy, mammogram and bone density scan.
• Updating vaccinations. Your doctor keeps track of vaccinations and booster shots you need. Some vaccines your doctor might recommend to you as an adult include a flu shot, shingles shot or pneumonia vaccine.
• Encouraging a healthy lifestyle. At your annual physical, your doctor identifies factors that increase the risk of future medical problems such as smoking or obesity. You and your doctor discuss some of your lifestyle choices and what you could change for better health, such as increasing your exercise routine and reducing your caloric intake.

Many health conditions develop slowly and don’t cause symptoms until they’re advanced. An annual physical allows your doctor to catch issues early when treatment is most likely to be effective. When you book an appointment with your doctor each year, it gives you an opportunity to ask any questions that you have about health concerns.

Your doctor lets you know if anything is found that seems concerning.

If so, there are several possibilities of what might happen next, such as:

• Your primary care doctor recommends additional testing.
• If a particular problem is identified, your doctor may give you a referral to a specialist.
• Your doctor explains what steps you need to take to improve your health.

If you have a health condition that’s not under control, such as diabetes, your primary care doctor may want to see you again much sooner than the following year. If you’re in good health, once your physical is completed, you can go ahead and schedule your next annual physical exam so it’s on the books.

Most health insurance policies cover an annual physical examination in New York City, recognizing that having a checkup each year is a good way to be proactive about your health and avoid many preventive complications.

Some of the most common health insurance companies New Yorkers use include:

• BlueCross HMO
• Fidelis
• MetroPlus
• Medicare
• Medicaid

When you book an appointment for a NYC annual physical or for a visit with a specialist, it’s a good idea to review your policy to make sure you understand your coverage. Some types of health insurance require using in-network doctors. You may have to pay part of the cost of lab work, imaging studies or other types of testing.
There’s so much to see and do in New York City that it’s not unusual for people to postpone making an appointment or to assume a doctor’s visit isn’t needed while you’re feeling well. Making time for an annual physical is a great way to take care of yourself and be proactive about your long-term health. Book an appointment today.