Preventative Visits & Wellness Exams
At Rocky Vista Health Center in Ivins, Utah, our qualified healthcare providers offer a detailed preventive medicine program to help you steer clear of various diseases that could arise from factors such as age, genetics, and medical history. By following this model, you can lower your risk factors of diseases and injuries while also increasing your chances of enjoying a healthier lifestyle.
Our doctor's also offer preventative visits to patients of all ages. A preventative visit, or annual wellness exam, is a yearly appointment intended to prevent illness and detect health concerns early, before symptoms are noticeable. Preventative visits could be an annual physical exam, well-child visit, Medicare wellness exam or a "welcome to Medicare" visit. During this appointment, you'll review your overall health and well-being check. This visit is preventative and does not discuss your chronic or current health conditions or issues.
What Is a Preventative Visit?
Your Preventative Visit will include the following:
- Blood pressure screening
- Height, weight and body mass index (BMI) measurements
- Behavioral assessments
- Immmunizations
- Hearing and vision screening (if applicable)
- Referral for breast cancer, colon cancer and osteoporosis screening
- Laboratory blood work (if applicable)
- Sexually transmitted infection counseling and some testing based on gender, age and risk factors
What Does an Annual Physical Mean?
An annual physical is your yearly preventative visit as described above. A visit to prevent illness and detect health conditions early, before symptoms are noticeable. This appointment does not discuss your chronic health conditions.
Are Preventative Visits Covered by Insurance?
Most insurances typically cover one preventative visit each year. Depending on your specific insurance policy, this may be every calendar year, or 365 days from your last preventative exam. If this is a covered benefit under your policy, your preventative exam will include the preventative services listed above.
Why Is This Important to My Health?
It is extremely important to visit your physician on an annual basis for your preventative health examination. This is a time in which all recommended screening tests are ordered (breast and colon and osteoporsis), laboratory testing and a review of your immunization status to ensure you are properly immmunized.
Is This Required by My Insurance Provider?
This is not "required" by your insurance company, however, it is strongly encouraged and monitored by each insurance company. Insurance companies, as well as your physician, believe an annual wellness examination identifies health problems early on so you can take action to keep them from becoming chronic conditions.
When Does a Preventative Visit Cost More?
Your physician may be able to combine a follow-up visit and/or medication refill visit with your preventative visit. Talking about other issues (such as an injury, high blood pressure management, a sinus infection), may result in an additional charge for an office visit. Your physician may decide, based on a discussion with you, a certain blood test is necessary that your insurance company does NOT consider to be a preventative service, and this may result in an additional charge.
Your Rights, Your Benefits
Make sure that your doctor is in your health plan network to avoid out-of-network fees. Don't be afraid to ask questions ("Do I really need this test?"). Call your insurance company to confirm your benefits, coverage and cost. It is your right to ask and your responsibility to know and understand your benefits.
Your physicians will make recommendations on testing based on their medical opinion during your evaluation. Your insurance company may not agree to pay for these services. You always have the right to ask before any service is rendered. Your physician will assist you and all of your health care needs based on their medical opinion, your insurance company will assist you from a benefit and coverage perspective.