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How to Get the Most Out of Your Primary Care Appointment

How to Get the Most Out of Your Primary Care Appointment

Knowing the difference between preventive care visits, acute or problem visits, and Medicare wellness visits can help you feel prepared for your appointment, make the most of your time with your provider, and avoid unexpected charges. Each type of primary care visit is used for a distinct purpose and focuses on different aspects of your health. 

Understanding what happens at each type of visit, how to prepare ahead of time, and why new or urgent concerns are best addressed in a separate appointment can help ensure your visit is focused, effective, and centered on your needs.

Preventive Care Visit

Preventive Care (sometimes known as a physical) should be done once a year. It’s a routine checkup focused on staying well, preventing illness, and catching health concerns early before they become bigger issues.

During your visit, your provider will:

  • Check vitals like blood pressure, pulse, and oxygen level
  • Discuss your diet, lifestyle, and mental health and offer counseling
  • Update your vaccines
  • Provide age-appropriate health and cancer screenings
  • Review medical history and overall health
  • Discuss future health risks and how to stay well

Before your visit, list all medication and supplements you take, gather any new family medical history details, and prepare any questions you may have about screenings, vaccines, or lifestyle. Being prepared helps you get the most value from your visit. 

What to Do About New Problems During a Preventive Visit

Preventative care visits are important for maintaining your overall health. To make certain your provider has enough time to fully address your concerns, new problems such new symptoms, injuries, or illness, are best scheduled as a separate visit.  

If a new concern comes up during your preventive visit, your provider may discuss it briefly and help you determine next steps, which may include scheduling another appointment. Preventive visits are covered by most health insurance plans. However, addressing new problems during the same visit may result in additional charges. Scheduling the right visit type helps avoid surprises and ensures you receive the care you need.

Acute or Problem Visit

Acute or problem office visits focus on new or ongoing health issues that need timely attention but are not life-threatening. These visits may address concerns such as colds, flu, upper respiratory infections, sore throats, UTIs, rashes, fever, minor injuries, gastrointestinal issues, or mild asthma flare-ups.

During your visit, your provider will review your symptoms, examine any injuries, and develop a care plan. This may include treatment recommendations, prescriptions, or referrals to a specialist if needed.

Before your visit:

  • Make a short list of symptoms and your top questions to share at the start of your visit
  • Bring a list of current medications, health records, and recent test results

If anything is unclear during your visit, don’t hesitate to ask questions. Understanding your care plan helps you recover more quickly and confidently.

Medicare Wellness Visit

The Medicare Wellness Visit is a yearly appointment for Medicare Part B beneficiaries and focuses on supporting long-term health and independence. Unlike a preventive care visit, this appointment does not include a physical exam.

During the visit, you'll complete a questionnaire called a Health Risk Assessment that helps your provider better understand your health history, medications, basic measurements, and daily routines. Together, you'll discuss wellness strategies and next steps to support your overall health.

Before your visit,

  • Gather your medical history
  • Write down any current medications

Your provider may recommend screenings or tests to help create a personalized care plan. Please note that this visit is separate from a physical exam or acute problem visit, which will require a separate appointment.

Schedule Your Doctors Appointment

Ready to schedule your next visit? Frederick Health Primary Care offers convenient scheduling options so you can get the care you need. With over 10 locations across Frederick County, care is always within reach.