Many people use the terms Annual Wellness Visit and Complete Physical Exam interchangeably, but these appointments serve different purposes. Both are valuable tools for maintaining good health, and understanding the difference can help you make the most of your healthcare.
Annual Wellness Visit: Focusing on Prevention
An Annual Wellness Visit is designed to answer one important question:
“How can we prevent health problems before they start?”
This visit focuses on prevention, identifying health risks, and creating a personalized plan to help you stay healthy. During your appointment, your healthcare team may review:
- Personal and family health history
- Current medications
- Depression, stress, and anxiety screenings
- Nutrition and physical activity
- Ability to perform activities of daily living
- Home and vehicle safety
- Cognitive function
- Recommended immunizations and preventive screenings
- Lab work and age-appropriate screenings, when appropriate
Preventive screenings may include services such as colonoscopies, mammograms, bone density testing, lung cancer screenings, and routine laboratory work, depending on your age, medical history, and individual risk factors.
One of the greatest benefits of an Annual Wellness Visit is the opportunity to create a personalized prevention plan that helps you stay on track with recommended care and supports your long-term health goals.
Complete Physical Exam: Evaluating Overall Health
A Complete Physical Exam is designed to answer a different question:
“What is going on with your overall physical health?”
This appointment focuses on evaluating your current health and addressing any concerns you may have. During a complete physical exam, your provider may:
- Review your medical history
- Discuss current symptoms or health concerns
- Perform a comprehensive head-to-toe physical examination
- Order lab work
- Recommend age-appropriate screenings
- Evaluate your individual healthcare needs
A physical exam gives your provider a broad picture of your overall health and helps identify concerns that may require treatment, follow-up care, or additional testing.
Managing your health is not something you have to do alone.
For patients living with chronic conditions, our practice offers Chronic Care Management services, including access to a dedicated Care Coordinator. This team member works closely with you, your primary care provider, and specialists to help coordinate care, improve communication, and connect you with important resources.
Whether you need help understanding medications, scheduling appointments, following through with recommended care, or navigating multiple health conditions, our Care Coordinator is here to support you every step of the way.
Which Appointment Is Right for You?
Annual Wellness Visits and Complete Physical Exams have different goals, but both play an important role in helping you stay healthy.
Preventive care helps identify risks before problems develop, while physical exams provide a comprehensive look at your current health.
If you are unsure which appointment best fits your needs, our family practice team is happy to help.
Take the next step in your health journey today. Contact our Family Practice to schedule an appointment and learn how our team and our Chronic Care Management Care Coordinator team can help you stay healthy, informed, and supported every step of the way.
Family Practice
Phone: 517-999-4500
Location: Entrance C
1500 South Main
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
Family Practice Hours
M-F: 7 AM – 5PM