Physicals

An annual wellness exam, or physical, can be critical to staying healthy.

We like to take this opportunity to help you focus on staying healthy and potentially identifying and modifying risks before they become serious problems. During a wellness visit we will be sure that cancer screening is up to date, immunizations are current, vital signs and the physical exam are normal as well as review lab tests that may have been done. We work with our patients to recognize potential serious health risks as they may occur without any symptoms.

Most insurance companies now pay for annual wellness visits at 100% with no out of pocket cost to the patients as they too recognize the benefit such visits.

At Steamboat Medical Group, a physical is generally comprised of several tests and examinations to gauge one’s overall state of health. A doctor or PCP will usually monitor one’s vital signs such as blood pressure, temperature, heart rate and more. The physician will also perform a complete physical exam on abdominals, the stomach, the heart, the lungs and the glands in order to cover various aspects of the human body.

What should you expect at an annual physical?

• Monitoring cardiovascular health with checks of blood pressure, BMI and cholesterol to reduce risk for heart attack, stroke and other problems
• Making sure cancer screening is up to date. Specifically for women, we will discuss breast cancer screening and cervical cancer screening. For men we will discuss prostate screening. For all, we will discuss colon cancer screening and skin cancer screening.
• Discussions about immunizations will occur, including tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis, shingles, pneumonia and influenza
• Discussions about mental health and wellness to address issues that may exists regarding depression, anxiety or substance abuse

We hope you and your family will take the opportunity to work with your physician to keep yourself healthy for many years. The annual wellness exam is a good step in this direction.