Best Blue Cross Blue Shield Annual Physical Exam in Brooklyn, NY

There are hundreds of knowledgeable, experienced physicians of all types in Brooklyn who take your health insurance policy, including BlueCross HMO. It’s easy to book an appointment for an annual physical by a doctor in Brooklyn who takes BlueCross HMO. Use this directory to find a doctor.

As a health maintenance organization (HMO), BlueCross HMO requires members to choose a primary care physician in-network. This doctor oversees all your healthcare and refers you to specialists, such as gynecologists, dermatologists and urologists if needed. The cost of HMO plans, including your premium and out-of-pocket costs, is typically lower than other types of insurance. Your plan specifies what doctors and hospitals are in-network.

Brooklyn residents who are rarely ill and have an overloaded schedule may feel like you don’t have time to book an appointment for a physical every year.

Even if you believe you’re in good health, there are several good reasons to schedule an annual physical exam in Brooklyn by a doctor who takes BlueCross HMO, such as:

• Establishing a relationship with a primary care physician who gets to know you
• Having a regular doctor who’s more likely to notice small changes that may indicate potential health problems
• Having a trusted medical expert to turn to with any questions
• Receiving vaccinations and cancer screenings as needed

Some medical conditions don’t cause symptoms until they’re advanced and difficult to treat. When you book an appointment for an annual physical exam by a BlueCross HMO doctor in Brooklyn, you may experience early detection of some of these conditions, and slow or prevent progression.

What happens during your physical exam varies based on your age, gender and existing medical conditions. Checkups usually start with a discussion of your medical history including your family medical history and anything that’s concerning you about your health.

Other things that are usually tested during the best annual physical exams in Brooklyn include:

• Height and weight. Your height and weight are checked, which gives your doctor an idea of your body mass index (BMI) and trends over time of losing or gaining weight. If your BMI is too high or too low, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes relating to food choices and exercise.
• Vital signs. Vital signs such as pulse, respirations, temperature and blood pressure are measured. If any of these numbers are out of range, it could be a sign of illness, heart problems or conditions such as hypertension.
• Head and neck exam. Your eyes, ears, nose and throat are checked, and your doctor feels for swollen lymph nodes.
• Heart and breath sounds. Your Brooklyn primary care doctor listens to your chest and back with a stethoscope to see if there are any abnormal sounds coming from your heart or lungs.
• Abdominal exam. During most annual exams, your doctor palpates your abdomen to check for areas of discomfort or tenderness. The abdominal exam is also done to see if the size and position of your organs is normal and whether there’s any buildup of fluid.
• Pelvic exam. If you’re a woman, you may have a pelvic exam and a Pap smear, or your doctor may send you to a gynecologist for this. If you have any concerns about sexually transmitted illnesses, testing can be done for those.

During the exam, your doctor asks a variety of questions such as whether you have any issues like digestive disturbances, headaches, dizziness or any muscle or joint pain. She may also ask whether you’re under a lot of stress and if you have any symptoms of depression or anxiety. She checks your arms and legs for any signs of swelling and looks at your skin for rashes or growths that may be concerning.

If you’re already on prescription medications, your doctor evaluates how well they’re working and whether the dosage needs to be tweaked. Your doctor encourages you to ask questions or to let her know if you have any other concerns. Book your annual physical today.

An annual physical by a Brooklyn doctor who takes BlueCross HMO usually takes about 30 minutes and you learn right away if your primary care doctor is concerned about any aspect of your health.

If anything seems abnormal, your next steps may include:

• You’re sent for additional testing, such as blood tests or imaging studies like an x-ray, CT scan or MRI.
• You’re given a referral to a specialist if problems are found with a specific organ or functional system.
• You may be sent to a physical therapist if you have joint pain, back pain or neck pain.
• You may be given recommended lifestyle changes.

Cancer screenings such as a mammogram or colonoscopy are set up at specific intervals. If your doctor wants to monitor specific health concerns, she may ask you to book an appointment in a few months rather than in a year. If your doctor doesn’t find anything concerning during your yearly checkup, be sure to book an appointment for your next annual physical in Brooklyn by a doctor who takes BlueCross HMO to enjoy good health.