PPC Health Library
After 50, a thorough annual physical should cover vitals and a physical exam, a medication and supplement review, updated family history, age-appropriate cancer screenings (colorectal, breast, prostate, lung, skin as indicated), cardiovascular risk labs, blood sugar screening, bone health for women after menopause, vaccinations, hearing and vision checks, cognitive and mood screening, and time to actually discuss what changed this year. If your physical is ten minutes and a blood-pressure cuff, it is not doing this work.
Colorectal cancer screening, mammography for women, prostate discussion for men, lung cancer screening for people with a significant smoking history, and skin checks. Blood work should include a lipid panel and blood glucose or A1c at intervals your physician sets based on your risk. Bone density testing generally starts at 65 for women, earlier with risk factors. None of this is one-size-fits-all - your history sets the schedule.
The review of everything you take - prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, supplements - against everything else you take. After 50, the average patient sees more than one prescriber, and nobody is automatically checking the interactions. A yearly medication review is one of the highest-value fifteen minutes in medicine.
Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit - a prevention-planning appointment - which is different from a head-to-toe physical. Many patients benefit from both, scheduled together or apart. Your physician's office can tell you what your plan covers before you come in.
How long should the appointment take?
A meaningful annual physical after 50 usually takes 30 to 45 minutes plus lab time.
Should I fast before it?
If labs are planned, often yes - your office will tell you when you book.
What should I bring?
Your complete medication and supplement list, your screening history, and your questions in writing.
At Personal Physician Care
Our primary care physicians take the long view: annual physicals, Medicare Annual Wellness Visits, on-site labs and diagnostics, and a clinical pharmacist for medication reviews - at our Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Hallandale Beach offices. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare. Call your office: Boca Raton (561) 750-7509 · Delray Beach (561) 498-5660 · Hallandale Beach (954) 454-9055.
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