You’ve probably heard that you’re supposed to get a physical every year. But if you’re feeling healthy, taking no medications, and haven’t had any medical concerns, is an annual appointment really necessary?
The answer isn’t quite as straightforward as you might expect.
How often you should get a physical depends on your age, medical history, existing health conditions, and risk factors. Many healthcare providers recommend an annual preventive visit, but healthy adults at low risk may not need a comprehensive physical examination every year.
The important thing is staying current on recommended screenings, vaccinations, and preventive care, even when you feel perfectly fine.
How often should you get a physical based on your age?
There’s no universal schedule that applies to every adult.
According to the National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus, adults should see a healthcare provider periodically, even when they’re healthy. How often depends on individual circumstances.
Here’s a general guide:
| Age or health situation | How often to consider a checkup |
| Healthy adults ages 18–39 | Discuss an individualized schedule with your provider. A comprehensive physical may not be necessary annually. |
| Adults ages 40–64 | Consider annual preventive visits, particularly as age-related screening needs increase. |
| Adults ages 65 and older | Annual preventive visits are generally useful for reviewing medications, screenings, and changing health needs. |
| Adults with chronic conditions | Follow your provider’s recommended schedule, which may involve several visits each year. |
| Children and teenagers | Follow the recommended pediatric well-child visit schedule. |
These are general considerations, not mandatory screening intervals. Your healthcare provider can help determine the right frequency for you.
Do you really need a physical every year?
Not necessarily.
Research hasn’t established that comprehensive annual physical exams improve every health outcome for otherwise healthy adults.
However, preventive visits can still be valuable.
They give you an opportunity to:
- Review your overall health
- Discuss new symptoms or concerns
- Update your medical and family history
- Review medications
- Check recommended vaccinations
- Identify appropriate screenings
- Discuss mental health and lifestyle habits
The goal isn’t simply to complete an annual appointment. It’s to receive preventive care appropriate for your individual health needs.
What’s the difference between a physical and a wellness visit?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they aren’t always the same.
A physical exam generally involves evaluating your current physical health. Your provider may check your heart, lungs, abdomen, vital signs, and other areas based on your needs.
A preventive wellness visit focuses more broadly on identifying health risks, reviewing preventive screenings, and creating a plan for maintaining your health.
This distinction is particularly important for people with Medicare.
Medicare covers a yearly wellness visit for eligible beneficiaries, but that appointment isn’t the same as a traditional physical examination.
According to Medicare, the annual wellness visit focuses on developing or updating a personalized prevention plan.
What happens during a routine physical?
Your appointment will depend on your age, health history, and reason for visiting.
A typical physical may include:
Reviewing your health history
Your provider may ask about:
- Current medications
- Family medical history
- Previous diagnoses
- New symptoms
- Sleep and exercise habits
- Alcohol or tobacco use
- Mental health concerns
Checking vital signs
Common measurements include blood pressure, heart rate, and weight.
Your provider may also evaluate other aspects of your physical health depending on your medical history.
Discussing preventive screenings
Your provider may recommend tests for conditions such as high cholesterol, diabetes, or certain cancers.
Not every patient needs every screening, and routine bloodwork isn’t automatically necessary at every physical.
Screening recommendations depend on your individual risk factors.
Which health screenings should you keep up with?
Even if you don’t need a comprehensive physical every year, certain preventive screenings remain important.
For example, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends:
- Blood pressure screening annually for adults ages 40 and older and adults at increased risk.
- Blood pressure screening every three to five years may be appropriate for adults ages 18–39 who have normal blood pressure and aren’t at increased risk.
You can review the full USPSTF blood pressure screening recommendations.
Other screenings, including those for diabetes, high cholesterol, and certain cancers, depend on your age, medical history, and individual risk.
Your primary care provider can help you determine which tests are appropriate.
Should you get physicals more often if you have a chronic condition?
Often, yes.
People managing ongoing health conditions may need more frequent appointments to monitor symptoms, adjust medications, or evaluate treatment effectiveness.
Examples include:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- Asthma
- Certain mental health conditions
Depending on your condition, your provider may recommend appointments every few months or another individualized schedule.
These visits aren’t necessarily annual physicals. They’re appointments focused on managing your existing health needs.
Does it matter what time of year you schedule a physical?
Generally, no.
Some people schedule their physical around their birthday because it’s easier to remember. Others prefer the beginning of the year or a time when their schedule is less busy.
What’s more important is staying consistent with your recommended preventive care.
If you’re using insurance, check your plan’s coverage rules before scheduling. Some plans limit how frequently they’ll cover certain preventive visits.
Also remember that discussing new symptoms or receiving treatment during a preventive appointment may result in additional charges.
How should you prepare for your next physical?
A little preparation can make your appointment more productive.
Before your visit:
- Write down questions or symptoms you want to discuss.
- Bring an updated list of medications, vitamins, and supplements.
- Review changes in your family’s medical history.
- Check whether you’re due for vaccinations or screenings.
- Bring previous medical records if you’re seeing a new provider.
- Confirm whether you need to fast for any ordered blood tests.
If you have several concerns, consider asking the office whether you need a longer appointment or a separate visit.
What if you haven’t had a physical in years?
There’s no need to panic.
If it’s been several years since your last checkup, scheduling a preventive visit is a reasonable place to start.
Your provider can review your health history, identify screenings you may have missed, and recommend an appropriate follow-up schedule.
You don’t need to wait for symptoms to appear before establishing care.
If you’re looking for a new provider, Zocdoc makes it easy to find a primary care doctor, compare in-network options, read verified patient reviews, and book online.
The bottom line
How often you should get a physical depends on your individual health needs.
While many people benefit from annual preventive visits, not every healthy adult requires a comprehensive physical exam every year.
The most important thing is maintaining a relationship with a healthcare provider, staying current on recommended screenings and vaccinations, and addressing health concerns when they arise.
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Frequently asked questions
How often should a healthy adult get a physical?
Healthy adults should discuss an individualized preventive care schedule with their healthcare provider. Annual visits may be helpful, but comprehensive physical exams aren’t necessarily required every year.
Do you need a physical every year after age 40?
Not necessarily, although preventive care becomes increasingly important with age. Adults 40 and older are generally advised to have blood pressure screening annually, and other screening needs may increase.
What happens if you skip your annual physical?
Missing one physical doesn’t automatically put your health at risk. However, going too long without preventive care may mean missing recommended screenings, vaccinations, or opportunities to identify health concerns.
Is an annual physical covered by insurance?
Many health insurance plans cover eligible preventive services, but coverage varies. Medicare’s annual wellness visit is not the same as a traditional physical exam. Check your plan before scheduling.
Can you get a physical at urgent care?
Some urgent care centers offer physical exams, but a primary care provider is generally better suited for ongoing preventive care and long-term health management.
The information in this article is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be relied on as medical advice. It is not intended as, and Zocdoc does not provide, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Zocdoc does not recommend any specific provider. Find one you’ll love on Zocdoc today.