Annual Wellness Checks

What’s Covered and Why They’re Important

What’s the best way to stay healthy?

By making regular appointments with your primary care provider (PCP) BEFORE you get sick and getting all recommended vaccines on time. As a Community First Health Plans Member, health checkups, and other screenings are covered at no cost to you.

Ready to make an appointment?
You can find your PCP and their phone number on your Community First Member ID card. Call the number listed to find out when you are due for your regular health checkup.

Not sure when your child needs a checkup?
Review the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) periodicity schedule to check when your child is due for their next checkup and for a schedule of screenings and assessments recommended at each visit.

Need help?
We can help you make an appointment with your PCP. Your plan may also cover transportation if you need help getting to your doctor’s appointment. Contact Member Services to learn more.

CHILDHOOD VACCINES

Stay on track with your child’s vaccines by following the CDC recommended immunization schedules.

2022 Recommended Immunizations for Children Birth-6 Years Old (ENG/SPAN)

2022 Recommended Immunizations for Children 7-18 Years Old (ENG/SPAN)

What’s Covered

The following health screenings are covered for Community First Members:

Regular health checkups
Recommended childhood & adolescent immunizations
Sports and school physicals
Vision and hearing screenings*
Dental checkups*
Blood tests*
Women’s health screenings, including mammograms*
Men’s health screenings, including prostate cancer screening*

*Log into your Member Portal or call Member Services for more information about what’s covered under your plan.

Why Health Checkups Are Important

Regular health checkups are important at every age because they can help your PCP get to know what’s “normal” for you. When you see your PCP regularly, they can pick up on serious changes to your health and even smaller things that are outside your “normal,” like an increase in blood pressure or feeling more tired than usual. These things could develop into more serious problems if left untreated.

Health checkups also allow you to talk to your PCP about your family health history. This helps your PCP make personalized recommendations for your health care. For example, your doctor may recommend certain cancer screenings if a family member has been diagnosed with cancer.

The more your PCP knows, the more they can help.

Are Wellness Checkups Only For Children?

At age 18, children go through a health care transition. A health care transition is the process of getting ready for health care as an adult. Health checkups are an important part of your health care from birth, through childhood, and all the way into adulthood.

Here are a few things parents and children can do together to prepare for a health care transition:
(1) Choose a new adult Primary Care Provider (PCP). Most pediatricians only see patients up to age 18. Log in to the Member Portal to select a new adult PCP.

(2) Discuss medical conditions, prescriptions, and health history together.

(3) Make an appointment for a no-cost wellness checkup. Checkups aren’t only for children! They are a great opportunity for adults to monitor and treat existing conditions, get recommended adult vaccines, and get age-appropriate screenings (blood pressure, weight, mental health).

Regular checkups throughout adulthood can save your health – and your life!

Do I Need To Prepare For My Checkup?

Before your health checkup, it’s a good idea to write down the following:

any medications, vitamins, or supplements you’re taking
any pain or symptoms you’re experiencing
questions or concerns related to your physical and mental health

Download and print our Community First Checkup Checklist and read our top 5 questions to ask your doctor while you’re waiting for your doctor to help remind you what questions to ask.

I'm Healthy...Do I Really Need A Checkup?

Remember, the whole point of seeing your PCP regularly is to help find health problems before they get worse and are harder to treat. One of the best ways to keep feeling healthy is through prevention.

There’s nothing more important than your health and the health of your family!

What's Telemedicine?

If you prefer to visit with your PCP virtually, from your computer or phone, telemedicine may be an option for you.

Community First Providers are taking every precaution to keep Members safe. Contact your PCP to find out your options when it comes to in-person and telemedicine visits. Learn more about Telemedicine.

What To Expect During Your Health Checkup

Health checkups may include the following:

Updates To Your Health History

During your checkup, you should tell your doctor about any changes in your physical and mental health including:

changes in your job
changes in your relationships
new medications or supplements you’re taking
allergies
recent surgeries

Vital Signs

A nurse or your PCP may check your:

blood pressure
temperature
respiratory rate
heart rate

Visual & Physical Exam

Your PCP will examine you, looking for any signs of health issues. Your PCP might:

touch or “palpitate” parts of your body, like your abdomen, to feel for any abnormalities
check your eyes, ears, nose, and throat
listen to your heart and lungs
test your motor functions and reflexes

Vaccines

On-time vaccination is essential because it helps provide immunity before you or your child are exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines are tested to ensure that they are safe and effective for children to receive at the recommended ages.

Blood Tests

Your PCP may recommend certain blood tests or other health screenings to help complete the full picture of your health. Ask your PCP what blood tests and screenings are covered by your plan.

Remember, if you are feeling healthy, you should still see your PCP regularly so that they can more easily detect any changes in your health. This is important for men, women, and children of ALL ages. Don’t wait, schedule an appointment for your health checkup with your PCP today!