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Annual Physical Exams

The Importance of an Annual Physical Exam for all Patients

The annual physical exam is an important part of any doctor's visit. Depending on the doctor, the exam may be thorough or brief. Now is the time to voice any concerns or questions you may have. Your doctor will most likely quiz you about your lifestyle behaviors such as smoking, alcohol use, diet and exercise. They may also check on your vaccination status. Vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate and temperature will be noted. Your doctor will also gather a portion of their information just by looking at you and talking to you. They will watch for mental quickness and any memory loss. They will also check how easily you stand and walk. They will listen to your heart with a stethoscope. This is how they may detect an irregular heartbeat, heart murmur or other clues to heart disease. Your doctor will also listen to your lungs to help determine how healthy your lungs are.

Sometimes doctors will have lab tests run. Some lab tests will check your cholesterol levels to determine if you need to change your diet or start medications. They might also check for diabetes, especially if you are overweight or have any risk factors. As you get older, your doctor might start ordering routine testing geared toward your age. At 50, you may be set up to start regular screenings for colorectal cancer. Age 40 marks the time for women to begin annual mammogram screenings for breast cancer.

If you have not had an annual physical exam or it is time for your yearly exam, contact Sabetha Family Practice at (785) 284-2141.

Free Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare Patients

If you have Medicare coverage, make sure you are taking full advantage of all that's offered to keep you healthy such as the Free Annual Wellness Visit. The annual wellness visit does not replace your routine annual physical with your doctor. It does, however, offer a focused assessment performed by a registered nurse that will enhance your visit to your primary care doctor.

The Sabetha Community Hospital has a registered nurse who works closely with the physicians at the Sabetha Family Practice to offer wellness visits in your primary care doctor's office. These visits take about an hour, and are at no out-of-pocket cost to Medicare patients. Medicare will cover this screening once every 12 months.

Your wellness nurse will:
Take routine measurements, such as height, weight and blood pressure.
Review your medical and family history
Update your list of current providers, including dentist, eye doctor and specialists.
Update your medication list -- so be sure to bring a current prescription list with you, or even the bottles if you need to.
Assess personal health risks by providing, for example, hearing, nutritional & safety evaluations.
Refer you to any needed services, such as mammograms, colonoscopies or lab work.
Compile your medical information so that your physician has it readily available during follow-up appointments.

These visits are allowing patients to focus on wellness and prevention. Patients are benefiting from the additional time with the registered nurse by tackling some of the "busy work" of an office visit and ultimately giving them more one-on-one time with their doctor. Patients have appreciated the opportunity to bring all their records and information together for their primary care doctor.

To schedule your annual Medicare Wellness Visit, contact Sabetha Family Practice at (785) 284-2141. You may also receive a letter from a wellness nurse to schedule an appointment.