A wellness exam, often called an annual physical or preventive visit, is routine care focused on maintaining health and detecting potential issues early. This appointment differs fundamentally from a “sick visit,” which diagnoses and treats an immediate illness or injury. The primary purpose of a wellness exam is to establish a health baseline, evaluate risk factors for future disease, and create a personalized strategy for long-term well-being.
The Foundational Assessment
The visit begins with a foundational assessment, typically handled by a nurse or medical assistant. During this intake, a comprehensive medical history is updated, including new diagnoses, hospitalizations, or changes in medication. A detailed family history is also recorded to identify genetic predispositions for conditions like heart disease or certain cancers.
The staff also records current vital statistics, such as blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight, which are used to calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI). Assessing lifestyle factors is another component, covering diet, physical activity levels, sleep patterns, and the use of tobacco or alcohol. This information forms the groundwork for the physician’s subsequent evaluation and health counseling.
The Hands-On Physical Evaluation
The hands-on physical evaluation is performed directly by the physician to assess the major body systems. This systematic review uses the provider’s senses, employing techniques like sight, touch, and listening to detect subtle signs of disease. Auscultation is a key step, where the physician uses a stethoscope to listen to the heart for irregular rhythms and the lungs for abnormal breath sounds.
The provider also uses palpation, which involves touching the body to check for tenderness, unusual growths, or swelling. This commonly includes gently pressing on the abdomen to check internal organs. The exam also includes a check of the eyes, ears, nose, and throat, along with a neurological assessment to test reflexes, balance, and motor function.
Preventive Screening and Laboratory Work
Beyond the physical check-up, a wellness exam includes ordering or coordinating preventive screening tests and laboratory work, which are tailored based on the patient’s age, sex, and identified risk factors. Routine blood tests are common, such as a lipid panel to measure cholesterol and triglycerides, and a glucose or A1C test to screen for prediabetes or diabetes. A complete blood count (CBC) may also be performed to evaluate for conditions like anemia or infection.
Age-appropriate cancer screenings are a significant part of the preventive plan, often involving referrals for procedures like mammography for breast cancer detection or a colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening. For women, this may also include a Pap smear to screen for cervical changes. The visit also serves as an opportunity to review and administer necessary immunizations, such as the annual influenza vaccine, tetanus boosters, or vaccines for shingles and pneumonia, ensuring protection against infectious diseases.
Clarifying Different Types of Wellness Exams
It is important to recognize the distinction between a comprehensive Annual Physical and the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV), as they have different focuses and billing structures. The comprehensive Annual Physical is the traditional head-to-toe examination that includes the hands-on physical evaluation and often associated laboratory work. It is a full assessment of your current physical health.
Conversely, the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a benefit for Medicare beneficiaries that focuses heavily on risk assessment, health planning, and preventive care coordination. The AWV typically does not include a hands-on physical examination or laboratory tests, but instead involves a health risk assessment questionnaire, cognitive screening, and the development of a personalized prevention plan. Because of this procedural difference, the billing practices differ significantly; the AWV is generally covered by Medicare without patient cost-sharing, while a comprehensive Annual Physical may be subject to co-pays or deductibles depending on the specific insurance plan.