Best Medicaid Annual Physical Exam in Brooklyn, NY

If you’re a Brooklyn resident covered by Medicaid, before you book an appointment with a new doctor, call ahead to make sure that doctor accepts Medicaid. Brooklyn’s Medicaid program provides comprehensive health coverage through a large number of healthcare providers, so it isn’t difficult to find a Brooklyn medical provider who takes Medicaid, but not everyone does.

An annual physical by a Medicaid doctor in Brooklyn is covered by your insurance, along with immunizations, medical supplies and equipment, prescription medication and lab tests. Some services may have a small co-pay. Different doctors may have available appointments at different times, and with Brooklyn’s public transportation options, you should have no trouble getting to the doctor of your choice.

There are several different kinds of doctors in New York City that can serve as a primary care physician (PCP) and give you a physical each year.

Doctors who usually serve in this role include:

• Family doctors
• General practitioners
• Internal medicine practitioners
• Gynecologists

Primary care providers for children are usually pediatricians. Nurse practitioners and physician assistants have completed advanced education and often serve as primary care providers. Many doctors who provide the best annual physical exams in Brooklyn are set up to see your whole family.

If you’re almost always in good health, you may think you don’t need to take the time to book an appointment for an annual physical exam in Brooklyn by a doctor who takes Medicaid.

But several reasons it’s important to have a yearly checkup include:

• Getting to know your primary care provider. When you consistently see the same doctor at least once a year, you and your Brooklyn PCP get to know each other. This helps build trust in your doctor so that you’re not reluctant to mention any concerns that you have and it gives you someone to turn to if your health takes a turn for the worse.
• Early detection. As your doctor becomes familiar with you and your usual appearance and demeanor, she’s more likely to be able to notice small changes that could indicate a medical condition, even if you haven’t experienced any symptoms. Early detection of many illnesses leads to a better outcome than you’d have if it wasn’t diagnosed until the illness is far advanced.
• Vaccinations and screenings. A primary care provider keeps track of your health history including any vaccinations or screenings you need.

Your Brooklyn physician pays attention to trends in your health over time such as fluctuations in weight or mood. She provides in-depth information on healthy lifestyle choices and recommends resources for dealing with increased stress or other mental health issues.

The best annual physical exams in Brooklyn are customized for each individual. Your needs vary based on age, gender and existing medical conditions and at different stages of your life, you may need different screenings.

Some things that are typical for most physical exams include:

• Vital signs. Physical exams usually include checking vital signs such as pulse, respirations, temperature and blood pressure. Abnormalities in any of your vital signs may indicate that you’re developing a health condition, or that you’re at an increased risk of developing certain health problems.
• Listening to your heart and lungs. Your primary care doctor listens to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope to check for unusual heart sounds or signs that you’re having trouble breathing.
• Lymph nodes. Your doctor feels your neck area to check for swollen lymph nodes or other abnormalities.
• Eyes and ears. Your doctor may shine a light in your eyes and use an instrument to look in your ears.

Most of the time, your yearly checkup lasts about 30 minutes. Men may have a prostate screening starting at around age 45 or 50 depending on risk factors. Women usually have a pelvic exam and breast exam annually and Pap smears are done periodically to screen for cervical cancer and for cells that may be precancerous. Pap smears are done every three years for women between 21 and 30 and every five years between ages 31 and 65.

After an annual physical exam by a Brooklyn doctor who takes Medicaid, several different things may happen.

If there are any areas of concern, you may need some follow-up, such as:

• Additional blood work or imaging tests such as an electrocardiogram, x-ray or CT scan
• Different medication or changes in the dosage of medication you’re currently taking
• Referrals to a specialist — such as a gynecologist, dermatologist or urologist — for issues typically beyond the scope of your primary care doctor

Your doctor may recommend returning for a follow-up visit in a few months as well. If you’re found to be in good health, schedule an annual physical by a Brooklyn doctor who takes Medicaid for the following year. If you get sick before that with problems such as a respiratory infection, don’t hesitate to visit your primary care physician.

Over 2.7 million people live in 70 neighborhoods in Brooklyn, and a large percentage of these residents rely on Medicaid for their healthcare needs. If you’re a Medicaid recipient, be proactive about your health and book an appointment for an annual physical exam by a Medicaid doctor in Brooklyn today.