Physical exams

Physical exams are one of the most important tools to help you stay healthy. At Advocate Health Care, we provide convenient access to primary care services throughout the Chicago metro area. We offer annual checkups, preventive screenings, vaccinations and more to help you live your healthiest life.

What’s a routine physical exam?

A routine physical exam is an appointment when your health care provider checks your overall health, even when you feel well. Your provider assesses your risk of chronic conditions and offers recommendations to help you stay in your best health. These visits also allow you to ask your provider questions about your health needs and risk factors.

What’s another name for a physical exam?

There are several other names for physical exams, including:

• Annual exam
• Checkup
• Physical
• Preventive exam
• Routine exam
• Wellness check

What’s a physical exam doctor called?

Primary care providers are the ones who perform physical exams. A doctor or an advanced practice clinician (APC) may be your primary care provider. An advanced practice clinician is a health care provider, such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant, with master’s level training or higher. They can perform routine exams, order tests, diagnose diseases and offer treatment, including prescribing medications.

Why do doctors do physical exams?

A physical exam is an opportunity to establish a baseline for your health. These exams help your provider know what’s normal for you so they can easily identify small changes that could point to health conditions.

Your physical exam is also an opportunity to:

• Assess your health habits, including your diet and exercise routine
• Build a stronger relationship with your provider
• Evaluate your health risks
• Identify any issues that could become more serious in the future
• Perform or schedule preventive screenings
• Review your bloodwork for signs of potential health problems or nutrient deficiencies
• Update your vaccinations

Learn more about how to prepare for your physical exam.

Types of physical exams

There are several types of physical exams, including:

• Annual exams: These routine health checkups occur once a year. They’re an opportunity to evaluate your overall health, update your medical history and receive vaccinations as needed. Learn more about annual exams.
• Female physical exams: A female physical exam includes all the components of an annual exam, plus health tests and recommendations specifically for women. You may receive birth control counseling or recommendations for preventive screenings such as a Pap smear or mammogram. Find out more about female physical exams.
• Male physical exams: Male physical exams include all the components of an annual exam, plus screenings and recommendations unique to men’s needs. For example, your provider may recommend prostate cancer screening or a cholesterol check. Discover more about male physical exams.
• Sports physicals: A sports physical is an exam to evaluate whether children are healthy and safe to play sports. Your child typically needs a sports physical at the start of every sports season. Learn more about sports physicals.

Where do I get a physical exam?

There are many places to get a physical exam, including at your primary care provider's office, medical clinics, urgent care centers and occupational health services.

What’s the difference between a physical and an annual wellness visit?

An annual wellness visit, also called a Medicare wellness visit, is a health care appointment intended to help you create a personalized prevention plan. It’s a free benefit for people with Medicare insurance.

Note, however, that an annual wellness visit doesn’t include a complete physical exam. Your provider doesn’t discuss treatment for current health conditions during the appointment. You also don’t receive vaccinations or preventive screenings during an annual wellness visit. You will need to make a separate appointment to have a physical exam.

During an annual wellness visit:

• You fill out a health risk assessment that asks about your lifestyle, health history, family history and other factors.
• Your provider takes your vital signs (measurements of your body’s basic functions).
• Your provider combines data about your physical health with the information from your health risk assessment to create a preventive plan.

The preventive plan is a five- to 10-year strategy for lowering or managing your specific health risks. You have access to your preventive plan, so you know when to get vaccinations, complete preventive screenings and schedule your next doctor’s appointment.

How often should I get a physical?

Most people should get a physical once every year. If you’re under 40 and in good health, your provider may recommend coming every other year. If you’re older or have multiple health conditions, you may need to visit your doctor more often. Find out more about who needs an annual exam.

How much does a physical cost?

Most insurance plans cover physicals with minimal or no out-of-pocket costs. If you have a physical more than once a year, you may pay a copay. Our team can help you understand your insurance coverage and costs before your physical exam. Learn more about pricing and financial assistance.