TYPES OF PHYSICALS
Routine Physical Medical Checkup
What is a Routine Physical?
A routine physical, often referred to as an annual wellness visit, is a comprehensive preventive exam meant for checking a patient's general health status. The goal is to prevent future health issues by identifying risk factors or early signs of diseases, ensuring that vaccines are up to date, and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Major insurances in the United States typically cover routine physicals or annual wellness visits as part of preventive care benefits, recognizing the importance of preventive care in maintaining health and reducing the risk of serious health conditions. This coverage often comes without any copayment, coinsurance, or deductible being required, as long as the service is provided by an in-network provider and fits the insurer's criteria for preventive care.
It's important for patients to understand that while the routine physical itself is covered, additional services performed during the visit (such as evaluation of new problems, management of chronic problems, performing specific tests or procedures that may be recommended based on findings during the examination) might not be covered under the preventive care benefit. These additional services may be billed separately and could be subject to copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.
What is covered under Routine Physical?
Physical Exam
This is a hands-on examination where the provider will touch (palpate) parts of your body to feel for abnormalities, listen to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, and possibly examine your ears, nose, throat, and the abdominal area.
Vital Signs Check
This includes measuring blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. It may also involve assessing pain levels and oxygen saturation.
Visual Exam
The provider will visually inspect your body for signs of potential conditions. This involves examining the skin for abnormalities, the eyes, the movement and condition of joints, muscles, and your overall appearance.
Neurological Exam
Reflexes, muscle strength, muscle tone, sense of touch, and sight and hearing capabilities are checked.
Height and Weight Measurements
These are taken to calculate your body mass index (BMI), which helps in assessing your general health status.
Laboratory Tests
Depending on your age, risk factors, and family history, blood tests may be ordered to check for conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, and thyroid disease. Urinalysis can help detect kidney and bladder diseases or urinary tract infections.
Medical History Review
The healthcare provider will review your medical history, including any chronic illnesses, hospitalizations, surgeries, allergies, and your family’s medical history. They will also ask about lifestyle behaviors like diet, exercise, alcohol, tobacco, and drug use, as well as sexual health, mental health, and any current medications or supplements.
Screening Tests
Depending on age, sex, and medical and family history, additional screening tests might be recommended. For women, this might include mammograms and Pap smears; for men, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests; and for both, screenings for colorectal cancer, skin checks, or bone density scans.
Get In Touch
For further inquiries or to find out about our doctor’s availability, call us at 630-931-2929.
School/College Physical
What is a School Physical?
Also known as fitness testing, most schools hold regular physical examinations to evaluate and assess the students abilities in a number of sports. These exams also help students to learn how healthy they are and set goals to improve their fitness.
Disability Physical
Why are Disability Physicals Conducted?
The Social Security Administration (SSA) requires thorough information about anyone who has applied for disability and its benefits, as sometimes there isn’t enough information provided to them to grant the person with disability benefits.
How to Prepare for Them?
- Make sure that you need a Disability Exam
- Make a list of important questions that could be asked during the exam
- Gather all of your previous documents and medical records
- Practice your verbal explanation
- Get along with your doctor
- Take notes during the exam
