Physical Exams: What You Need to Know

Regular physical exams are an important part of maintaining good health. But what happens when you have a health concern that you want to discuss during your exam? Can your doctor refuse to perform the exam?

The answer is: it depends.

Insurance and Physical Exams

Insurance companies typically cover one preventive physical exam per year. This exam is meant to screen for potential health problems and provide general health counseling. If you have a health concern, your doctor may need to perform a different type of visit, such as a sick visit or a consultation. These visits are typically not covered by preventive care insurance.

PCP (Primary Care Physician) Discretion

Your PCP has the discretion to decide what type of visit is appropriate for your needs. If they believe that your health concern requires a more in-depth visit, they may ask you to reschedule your physical exam.

What to Do If Your PCP Reschedules Your Exam

If your PCP reschedules your exam, don’t be discouraged. It’s important to understand that they are doing so to provide you with the best possible care.

Here are some steps you can take:

Ask your PCP why they are rescheduling your exam. This will help you understand their reasoning and make informed decisions about your health.
Ask about the cost of the rescheduled visit. This will help you budget for the additional expense.
Schedule a follow-up appointment to discuss your health concerns. This will give you an opportunity to get the care you need.

It’s important to remember that physical exams are just one part of a comprehensive healthcare plan. Your PCP is there to help you stay healthy and manage your health concerns. By working together, you can ensure that you get the best possible care.

Additional Information

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) requires most health insurance plans to cover preventive care services, including physical exams.
Preventive care services are designed to help prevent or detect diseases and conditions before they become more serious.
Examples of preventive care services include:

Blood pressure screenings
Cholesterol screenings
Colorectal cancer screenings
Diabetes screenings
Depression screenings

If you have any questions about your physical exam or preventive care benefits, contact your insurance company or PCP.