A Primer on Primary Care: Staying Healthy with Annual Checkups
June 18, 2026Most of us will visit a doctor when we are sick, experiencing a new health problem or in pain, but to stay healthy, it is important that we visit our primary care providers regularly even when we are well.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, about 85 percent of people see a doctor once a year. This doesn’t mean, though, that those visits are for primary, preventative care. Annual physical exams, like routine dental visits, are a critical element in maintaining good health. While a yearly examination may seem unnecessary, especially if you feel great, this regular visit with your provider can offer valuable help in preventing health surprises and setbacks down the road.
Annual checkups are vital in our ability to prevent health problems and diagnose them as early as possible, but, unfortunately, only a small fraction of the population who could benefit from a yearly exam with their primary care provider will receive one this year. Early diagnosis and treatment of many conditions – from cancer to heart disease, to infections – gives us the best chance at achieving the best health outcome possible. We recommend that everyone discuss with their doctor if they could benefit from a yearly checkup. In addition, we can check on a patient’s recommended tests and immunizations are up to date, including reminders about seasonal vaccines, such as when is the right time to get a flu shot.
What is a primary care physician?
Primary care physicians and other providers, such as nurse practitioners, consist of family physicians and general practitioners, general internists, general pediatricians and geriatricians. They are the doctors and specially trained nurses who are typically responsible for diagnosing new illnesses, managing chronic ones, advocating preventive care, and protecting the wellness of their communities.
Primary care providers are usually a patient’s first contact and principal point of continuing care within a healthcare system. Continuity is a key characteristic of this practice of medicine. Having a consistent primary care physician allows you to consult the same practitioner for routine check-ups, preventative care, and consultations about emerging health concerns.
What happens during a regular check up with a primary care provider?
Providers use a physical exam to see how the body is performing and monitor vital signs such as weight, blood pressure, cholesterol, and other markers. Depending on a patient’s personal health history, a provider may choose to focus on certain areas of a physical exam such as additional blood pressure and cholesterol screenings for patients with a family history of heart disease.
Beyond improving a person’s health, an annual checkup also is an opportunity to foster the provider-patient relationship, which enables the provider to sense minute changes in the patient’s health that can only be identified with a level of familiarity that is built over time.
Additionally, yearly exams are the best way for providers to monitor patients to ensure they are getting preventative health screenings at appropriate times.
Are annual exams expensive?
Getting an annual exam doesn’t have to be expensive. Most insurance plans fully cover one checkup each year. Contact your insurance provider for details regarding your plan’s coverage.
We can help you get connected to a primary care provider in one of several practice locations, including my clinic in Bailey. I’d love to help you get started on, or stay on, a regular exam schedule that is right for you.
A version of this article was published in The Wilson Times on June 18, 2026