Scheduling a physical exam takes a few straightforward steps: confirm your insurance coverage, find an in-network primary care provider, and call or go online to book an appointment. Most adults should get a physical once a year, and under the Affordable Care Act, most health plans cover preventive visits at no cost when you see an in-network provider.
Check Your Insurance First
Before you pick up the phone, pull out your insurance card and understand what’s covered. Most health plans, including Marketplace plans, are required to cover a set of preventive services at zero cost to you. That means no copay, no coinsurance, and no deductible requirement for things like screening tests and immunizations, as long as you see an in-network provider. If you go out of network, those protections disappear and you could owe the full bill.
Medicare works differently. If you’re new to Medicare Part B, you’re eligible for an Initial Preventive Physical Exam within your first 12 months of coverage, at no cost. After that, Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit once every 12 months, also at no cost if your provider accepts Medicare assignment. However, Medicare does not cover a traditional routine physical exam. If your visit gets coded as a standard physical rather than a wellness visit, you’ll pay 100% out of pocket. When scheduling, specifically ask the office to book a “Medicare Annual Wellness Visit” so it’s billed correctly.
To find providers who accept your plan, check your insurer’s online directory or call the member services number on the back of your card. For Medicare, the Care Compare tool on Medicare.gov lets you search by specialty and location. You can also call 1-800-MEDICARE for help finding a provider near you.
Find the Right Provider
If you already have a primary care physician, call their office directly. If you need a new one, start with your insurance company’s provider directory and filter by location, gender preference, languages spoken, or whether they offer telehealth. Many health systems also have online search tools that let you browse provider profiles, read patient reviews, and see available appointment times.
When choosing a provider, verify two things: that they’re currently accepting new patients and that they’re in-network with your specific plan. Insurance networks change frequently, so even if a provider was in-network last year, it’s worth confirming before you book. A quick call to the office can save you a surprise bill.
Book the Appointment
You have three common options for scheduling: calling the office, booking through the provider’s online patient portal, or using a health system’s website or app. Online portals are often the fastest route and let you see real-time availability. If you’re a new patient, expect to fill out intake paperwork covering your medical history, current medications, allergies, and family health history. Many offices send these forms electronically before your visit so you can complete them at home.
When you call or book online, a few details are worth clarifying upfront:
- Visit type: Make sure the appointment is coded as a preventive or wellness visit, not a sick visit. This determines how your insurance processes the claim.
- Lab work timing: Ask whether you need blood work done before the appointment so your provider can review results during the visit. Some offices schedule labs a week or two in advance; others draw blood the same day.
- Fasting requirements: If blood work is ordered, you may need to avoid eating or drinking for 8 to 12 hours beforehand. The office will tell you whether fasting is necessary.
- Appointment length: A new-patient physical typically runs 30 to 60 minutes. Established patients may need only 20 to 30 minutes.
Annual physicals are among the most commonly booked appointments, so availability can be limited, especially in the fall when many people schedule before year-end. Booking a few weeks out is typical, though some offices have waitlists or same-week openings for cancellations.
Prepare Before Your Visit
A little preparation makes your appointment far more productive. Write down every medication and supplement you take, including dosages and how often you take them. If that feels like a lot, snap a photo of each label on your phone. Your provider needs this information to check for interactions and make sure nothing needs adjusting.
Also jot down any health changes since your last visit: new symptoms, surgeries, emergency room visits, vaccines you received elsewhere (like a flu shot at a pharmacy), and any family health updates such as a parent being diagnosed with a new condition. Having this on paper means you won’t forget to mention something important once you’re in the exam room. Bring your insurance card, a photo ID, and any referral paperwork if your plan requires one.
What Screenings to Expect by Age
Your physical isn’t just a general checkup. It’s also when your provider orders age-appropriate screening tests based on federal guidelines. Knowing what’s recommended helps you ask the right questions.
All adults 18 and older should be screened for high blood pressure at every visit. Screening for depression and anxiety is recommended for adults up to age 64. Between ages 18 and 79, a one-time hepatitis C screening is recommended, and HIV screening is recommended for anyone ages 15 to 65.
Starting at age 35, adults with overweight or obesity should be screened for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. Women should begin cervical cancer screening at age 21 (every three years through age 29, then every three to five years through age 65 depending on the test used). Mammograms are recommended every two years for women ages 40 to 74. Colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45 for everyone and continues through age 75.
For older adults, men ages 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should get a one-time abdominal aortic aneurysm screening. Women 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis, and postmenopausal women under 65 may qualify earlier if they have risk factors. Annual lung cancer screening applies to adults ages 50 to 80 with a significant smoking history.
Not every screening happens at every visit. Your provider will tell you which ones are due based on your age, sex, and personal risk factors. If you’re unsure whether you’re current on any of these, your annual physical is the perfect time to ask.
What to Do If You Don’t Have Insurance
Community health centers, sometimes called federally qualified health centers, offer physicals on a sliding fee scale based on your income. You can find one near you through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s online directory. Some retail clinics and urgent care centers also offer basic physicals at a flat rate, typically between $100 and $300, though these visits may not include the full range of screenings a primary care office provides. If cost is a concern, call ahead and ask for a self-pay price, as many offices offer a discount when you pay at the time of service.