Strong Futures Start with Strong Health
October 8, 2025
What is a Well-Care Visit? Your Guide to Annual Wellness Exams
A well-care visit is also known as an annual wellness exam or yearly checkup. It is a chance to talk to a doctor about your overall health and take steps to prevent future health concerns. The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a critical time to establish lifelong healthy habits, and the annual well-care visit provides the perfect opportunity to do that.
Why Annual Wellness Visits Matter
This visit offers a chance to build a relationship with a provider and help them spot health problems before they become more serious. They also give you a chance to build a trusted relationship with your provider, so you feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your concerns.
During these visits, your provider will:
Assess your current health
Discuss preventive screenings
Review medications
Plan ways to help you stay healthy and address any new concerns
What To Expect at Your Well-Care Visit
Your annual wellness exam is about more than just physical health. It is a whole-person check-in.
During your appointment, you may
Catch up on immunizations, like the annual flu shot or other vaccinations that protect against illness.
Schedule any necessary follow-up appointments.
Equally important, a well-care visit is a chance to discuss other parts of your life relevant to early adulthood that have an impact on your health like your mood, stress management, other behavioral health concerns, sleep, safety, access to food and more.
These conversations help you take ownership of your health in a confidential and supportive environment.
Is a Well-Care Visit Covered by Insurance?
Here’s the good news! Annual wellness exams are often covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and most insurance plans.
Be sure to check with your insurance provider to confirm your specific coverage.
Schedule Your Well-Care Visit Today
Staying on top of your health starts with one simple step: scheduling your yearly well-care visit. Contact your healthcare provider to schedule your well-care visit or search our online provider directory for a current list of in-network providers and facilities at www.phs.org/directory.
Clinical information based on recommendations provided by Bright Futures & American Academy of Pediatrics.
