When you were little, you likely didn’t have to worry about annual checkup appointments with your doctor because your parents were the ones making them. Unfortunately, as you get older, life becomes busier and you no longer have your parents to schedule your appointments, making it harder to remember to do so. The problem with forgetting is that regular checkups are vital to your health. Health professionals stress that doctor visits are important because they help identify problems early on before they become serious.
Prioritizing these appointments and remembering to schedule them is essential if you want to live a long and healthy life. If you still aren’t convinced, here are six reasons why annual checkups are vital:
- Allows you to establish a relationship with your doctor
Many people avoid the doctor unless they are facing an illness that needs immediate attention. However, if you establish a relationship where you are comfortable with your doctor, you are more likely to schedule appointments and be honest and open about your health. It can be difficult to share past medical history if it entails sensitive information. In building a relationship with your doctor, you’ll feel more comfortable sharing that information and will be less likely to leave out any details.
- Helps find and treat problems before they become severe
Regular checkups make it easier for doctors to spot any problem early on. Checkups involve multiple tests, including preventative screenings and physical exams, to find out a patient’s current health and possible risks. If any risks are present on the tests or screenings, the doctor can put together a treatment plan to not only fix the current problem, but also prevent future health issues from happening.
- Allows the doctor to keep track of patients’ health care information
Just like it is good for you to establish a relationship with your doctor, it is also good for doctors to establish relationships with their patients. In doing so, they can keep track of important details of their health and remind them of upcoming screenings, immunizations and future appointments. It also allows patients to receive more personalized health care.
- Saves you money in the long run
Another common reason people tend to put off scheduling future doctor appointments is because of cost. Checkup appointments are covered at no cost out of pocket for consumers, adults and babies. Since checkups can catch problems early on, they help minimize the risk of potential health issues that could require surgery or more thorough medical attention in the future. Contact your carrier to see what appointments are covered for you and get scheduled with the doctor today.
- Dental care
In addition to regular checkups with your doctor, you should also make sure that you’re scheduling checkup appointments with your dentist. The number of times you should visit the dentist each year varies depending on your risk for periodontal disease. Believe it or not, good oral health plays a huge part in overall health. Gum disease can lead to tooth loss and bacteria buildup has been found to put you at increased risk of heart disease, according to WebMD.
- Eye care
Even if you have 20/20 vision and have never had any eye issues, it is still important to visit an eye doctor. Although doctors can give you some information about eyes, they can’t provide as much information as an eye doctor can. Optometrists can check for glaucoma and also provide you with glasses or contact lens prescriptions if needed. Similar to dental checkups, the number of times you should visit an optometrist for vision checkups varies from person to person.
Health insurance is a must, if you currently don’t have coverage, Nevada Health Link is here to help. As part of a Qualifying Life Event (QLE), you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP). In other words, certain life events or situations, such as job loss, income change, marriage/divorce or birth/adoption of a child, may allow you to enroll in an insurance plan through Nevada Health Link outside of the annual open enrollment period.
All of our health plans exist to reduce the costs of health insurance and make sure you are covered. We’re always to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance.
