Question about upcoming physical checkup

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

It has been 4 years since I had a complete physical.

I heard it is best not to bring up any "concerns" as they code physicals different if you mention ISSUES you are concerned with. Then you are charged a fee When a yearly exam is normally free.

Should I make seperate appointment for the two concerns I have? How would you handle this.

Etoile308 · ‎01-04-2014

I've never been charged an additional fee for discussing issues during my yearly examine. I would think if you had concerns you'd want them addressed as soon as possible. What would be the point in paying for a later visit to discuss your concerns? That to me is the purpose of a yearly physical.

LuvmyLab · ‎06-07-2010

I just had my annual physical a few weeks ago and I had a number of questions to ask my doctor. It is just billed as an annual physical. This is the time to definitely bring up any concerns you may have to your doctor. I don't know why it would be billed differently if you bring up things you are concerned about. A physical is a physical.

Linmo · ‎12-16-2013

@SeaMaiden I have a yearly physical with either my primary care doctor, my gyn or both. For my health system, it doesn't matter what you bring up during the appointment, it's how they schedule it when you make the appointment.

If I schedule it as my annual checkup, it's free, unless it's been less than 12 months since the last one. If I schedule it for some other reason, then I am charged a co-pay.

SeaMaiden · ‎03-10-2010

@Linmo wrote:
@SeaMaiden I have a yearly physical with either my primary care doctor, my gyn or both. For my health system, it doesn't matter what you bring up during the appointment, it's how they schedule it when you make the appointment.
If I schedule it as my annual checkup, it's free, unless it's been less than 12 months since the last one. If I schedule it for some other reason, then I am charged a co-pay.

@Linmo Ok. Thanks

gizmogal · ‎05-09-2014

Your doctor will use the code for annual physical for the billing. Your appointment was for a physical and he/she will bill that way.

Most thorough doctors actually ASK if you are experiencing any discomfort, pain or symptoms of any type that are new/different/worrisome. They consider that inquiry part of a physical because it gives them insight to the lab tests to focus on since blood is drawn at every physical. A comprehensive physical includes asking the patient how she is feeling and if there is anything special that brought you in.

So then you answer with your two concerns. You can add that you don't want to pay for anything in this visit and want to the billing just as the "free" physical and the doc will get what you're saying. It's not like the doc doesn't understand your copay "concerns", too! The doctor may suggest a follow up appointment to go over the lab tests and to discuss your concerns at that time.

My best advice: doctors function best when you don't hold back concerns that might need attention. They do best when they take your physical results in context with how you report your state of health and any dymptoms or conditions you experience .

And don't wait 4 years to take a physical. Poor judgment! Maybe you can believe your body is functioning perfectly in your 20's, but if you're over 35 or 40 you should see a doctor once a year for standard lab tests and a once over. If you're over 50, you should definitely not skip a year.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@SeaMaiden Are you asking about the annual Medicare wellness visit? That's really not so much of a physical exam as much as it is an attempt to ferret out issues that often come with aging - I'm thinking balance, memory, depression, etc.

When I was a few years younger than now, I wasn't at all sure that visit was really valuable to me, but as I very quickly keep adding years, I realize that visit is often the only time I make myself confront what being 75+++ really means. Right now my physical aging issues aren't terrible, so I tend to shove them into my subconscious until I am talking to the doctor! (It's been decades since I lived with someone, which makes that easy except when a real problem presents.)

My doctors were both gave me time to renew scripts for meds and testing and I was able to address issues without any extra charge, but I don't believe I ever spent much time that way in the wellness visit. I did pay extra on the visit when I needed a pneumonia shot as well as one for flu.

From my point of view, one of the best things about the wellness visit is that the doctor is paid to consult with the patient for a longer time than a routine office visit lasts in either of those offices at least. As usual, local info is probably your best guide.

skatting44 · ‎07-26-2019

It was either my Health Insurance or my Primary Care Physicians group that sent me info that any new problems need to be addressed at a separate office appointment rather than at my yrly physical due to billing . So, yes I've heard this .

Still Raining · ‎03-30-2014

The Medicare Wellness Visit is mainly a review of ongoing orders, tests and rx. They can order them. Then you have the weight, diet and exercise 😱

If you have a concern you will need a other type of visit. The concern can be only partially covered during the wellness.

You could well need both.

ValuSkr · ‎03-15-2014

I don't know about your question but you're right about one thing - most doctor offices work every angle to maximize revenue and/or insurance company reimburesments. In the past, it's worked in my favor. Routine eye exams weren't covered by my insurance but because of an eye condition I had, the opthalmologist was able to get insurance reimbursement for the exam.