ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM GUIDE: TESTS INCLUDED, COST, BENEFITS & WHEN TO SCHEDULE ONE
You feel fine. Nothing hurts. You have no symptoms. So why would you schedule a physical exam?
An annual physical is not about finding problems when you already feel sick. It is about catching issues before they become problems, establishing baseline health measurements, updating screenings and vaccinations, and having a conversation with a provider who knows your health history.
According to the CDC, chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer account for 7 out of 10 deaths in the United States and represent 90% of the nation's $4.5 trillion annual healthcare expenditure. Many of these conditions can be detected early through routine screening, when they are most treatable and least expensive to manage.
What Tests Are Included in an Annual Physical?
Vital Signs
Every physical exam begins with measuring your vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, temperature, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation. These numbers provide a baseline for your cardiovascular and respiratory health. High blood pressure, for example, is called the "silent killer" because it often produces no symptoms while damaging your heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Physical Examination
Your provider performs a head-to-toe examination that includes checking your eyes, ears, nose, and throat, listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope, palpating your abdomen to check for organ enlargement or tenderness, examining your skin for suspicious moles or lesions, checking reflexes and neurological function, and assessing your musculoskeletal system for joint or mobility issues.
Blood Work
Routine blood tests during an annual physical typically include a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia, infection, and blood disorders, a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) to assess kidney and liver function, blood sugar, and electrolytes, a lipid panel to measure cholesterol levels, and fasting blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C to screen for diabetes. Your provider may order additional tests based on your age, gender, medical history, and risk factors. Lab services at Mederi Urgent Care include on-site blood draws with results available within 24 to 48 hours for most panels.
Urinalysis
A urine sample screens for kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and other conditions. It is a quick, non-invasive test that provides valuable information about your overall health.
Age-Specific Screenings
Depending on your age and gender, your provider may recommend additional screenings. For adults over 45, diabetes screening with fasting glucose or A1C is recommended. Colon cancer screening is recommended starting at age 45. Cholesterol screening is recommended at regular intervals starting in your 20s. Women may need cervical cancer screening (Pap smear) and breast cancer screening (mammogram). Men over 50 may benefit from prostate screening discussions.
Types of Physical Exams
Physical exams at Mederi Urgent Care include several types depending on your needs:
Annual wellness physicals for general health maintenance. Employment physicals required by employers before or during employment. DOT physicals for commercial vehicle operators. School and sports physicals for children and teens. Pre-surgical clearance physicals. Immigration physicals.
Each type of physical has specific requirements, but all include a thorough health evaluation and documentation.
How Much Does an Annual Physical Cost?
With Insurance
Under the Affordable Care Act, annual wellness visits are considered preventive care and are covered at no cost to the patient for most insurance plans, including marketplace plans, employer-sponsored plans, and Medicare. This means no copay, no deductible, and no coinsurance for the standard physical exam and recommended screenings.
Without Insurance
Without insurance, an annual physical at an urgent care clinic typically costs $150 to $300, depending on the provider and what tests are included. Additional blood work may add $50 to $200 to the total. This is a fraction of the cost of treating a chronic disease that could have been caught early.
Benefits of Regular Physical Exams
The value of annual physicals extends far beyond the individual tests performed during the visit:
Early disease detection catches conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and certain cancers before they cause symptoms or complications. Baseline tracking establishes your personal health baseline so changes over time can be detected and addressed. Vaccination updates ensure you are current on flu shots, COVID-19 vaccines, tetanus boosters, shingles vaccines, and other age-appropriate immunizations.
Medication review gives your provider the opportunity to evaluate your current medications, check for interactions, and adjust dosages. Mental health check-in provides a chance to discuss stress, anxiety, sleep issues, and mood changes in a supportive clinical setting. Relationship building with a primary care provider who knows your history improves the quality of your care over time.
When to Schedule Your Physical
Most adults should schedule an annual physical once per year. The best time depends on your personal preferences and practical considerations.
Many people schedule their physical during their birth month to make it easy to remember. If you have a high-deductible health plan, scheduling early in the year ensures your preventive visit is covered before you start using your deductible for other care. If you have specific health goals (weight loss, fitness, chronic disease management), scheduling your physical at the start of the year gives you baseline numbers to track your progress.
Children and teens need physicals before each school year and before starting a new sport. Walk-in availability at clinics like Mederi Urgent Care makes it easy to get school and sports physicals completed without waiting for a scheduled appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to fast before my annual physical?
If your provider is ordering a lipid panel or fasting blood glucose test, you should fast for 8 to 12 hours before your appointment. Water is fine during the fasting period. If no fasting blood work is planned, no fasting is necessary.
Can I get a physical at urgent care or do I need a primary care doctor?
You can absolutely get a physical at an urgent care clinic. Walk-in physicals are one of the most common services at Mederi Urgent Care. No appointment or referral is needed.
What should I bring to my physical exam?
Bring your insurance card, photo ID, a list of current medications (including supplements), your vaccination records if available, and any specific health questions or concerns you want to discuss with your provider.
How long does a physical take?
A typical annual physical takes 30 to 60 minutes, including the exam, blood work, and discussion with your provider. Plan for a total visit time of about 60 to 90 minutes including check-in and checkout.
Schedule Your Annual Physical Today
An annual physical is one of the most cost-effective investments you can make in your long-term health. It takes less than an hour and can catch problems when they are simplest and cheapest to treat.
Mederi Urgent Care offers walk-in physicals for adults and children at four Los Angeles locations, seven days a week. Call 213-442-1890 or visit Mederi Urgent Care to book your exam.
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