Medical Tests Sourcebook, 7th Ed.

James Chambers

• Publisher: Omnigraphics
• Year: 2021
• ISBN:
  9780780819795
• Topic: Medicine
• Subtopic: General Health

Provides basic consumer health information about endoscopic, imaging, laboratory, and other types of medical testing for disease diagnosis and monitoring, along with guidelines for screening and preventive care testing in children and adults.

Part 1 | Screening and Preventive Care Tests

Chapter 1 | Regular Health Exams

Chapter Contents

Section 1.1—Why Regular Health Exams Are Important

Section 1.2—Women: Stay Healthy at Any Age

Section 1.3—Men: Take Charge of Your Health

Section 1.1 | Why Regular Health Exams Are Important

This section contains text excerpted from the following sources: Text in this section begins with excerpts from “Health Checkup,” MedlinePlus, National Institutes of Health (NIH), July 15, 2019; Text beginning with the heading “Choosing a Doctor: Quick Tips” is excerpted from “Regular Checkups,” Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (ODPHP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), October 21, 2021.

Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. Which exams and screenings you need depends on your age, health and family history, and lifestyle choices such as what you eat, how active you are, and whether you smoke.

To make the most of your next checkup, here are some things to do before you go:

• Review your family medical history.
• Find out if you are due for any general screenings or vaccinations.
• Write down a list of issues and questions to take with you.

Choosing a Doctor: Quick Tips

When looking for a primary care doctor for yourself or a loved one, it is important to choose someone you can trust. A primary care doctor can:

• Help you stay healthy by recommending preventive services, such as screening tests and vaccines (shots)
• Treat many health problems – including physical and mental-health issues
• Refer you to a specialist when you need more help with a specific health issue

When you and your doctor work together as a team, you get better healthcare. Look for a doctor who:

• Treats you with respect
• Listens to your opinions and concerns
• Encourages you to ask questions
• Explains things in ways you understand

Try the following tips to find a doctor who is right for you.

Ask for Recommendations from People You Know

Getting a reference from someone you know and trust is a great way to find a doctor:

• Ask friends, family members, neighbors, or coworkers if they have a doctor they like.
• If you are looking for a new doctor because yours is retiring or moving, ask your current doctor for a recommendation.

Check with Your Insurance Company

If you have health insurance, you may need to choose from a list of doctors in your plan’s network (doctors that take your insurance plan). Some insurance plans may let you choose a doctor outside your network if you pay more of the cost.

To find a doctor who takes your insurance:

• Call your insurance company and ask for a list of doctors near you who take your insurance plan – or use the insurance company’s website to search for a doctor.
• Then call the doctor’s office and ask them to confirm that they take your plan – have your insurance card handy in case they need to know your plan details.

Learn More about Your Top Choices

Make a list of the doctors you are interested in. Be sure to think about how easy or difficult it will be to travel to an appointment. Then call their offices to learn more about them. The answers to the following questions may help you make the best decision.

Questions about the doctor:

• Is the doctor taking new patients?
• Is the doctor part of a group practice? If so, who are the other doctors that might help care for me?
• Who will see me if my doctor is not available?
• Which hospital does the doctor use?
• Does the doctor have experience treating my medical conditions?
• Does the doctor have special training or certifications?

Questions about the office:

• Are evening or weekend appointments available? What about virtual appointments over the phone or on a computer (telemedicine)?
• What is the cancellation policy?
• How long will it take to get an appointment?
• How long do appointments usually last?
• Can I get lab work and x-rays done in the office?
• Is there a doctor or nurse who speaks my preferred language?

Think about Your Experience after the First Visit

Did the doctor and office staff:

• Make me feel comfortable during my appointment?
• Explain things in a way that was easy to understand?
• Listen carefully to me?
• Show respect for what I had to say?
• Know important information about my medical history?
• Spend enough time with me?
• Give me a chance to ask questions?

If you answer “no” to any of these questions, you may want to keep looking.

Get Your Medicare Wellness Visit Every Year

If you have Medicare, be sure to schedule a yearly wellness visit with your doctor. A yearly wellness visit is a great way to help you stay healthy.

What Happens during a Yearly Wellness Visit

The doctor or nurse will first ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a “health risk assessment.” Answering these questions will help you get the most from your yearly wellness visit.

During your visit, the doctor or nurse will:

• Go over your health risk assessment with you
• Measure your height and weight
• Check your blood pressure
• Ask about your medical and family history
• Ask about other doctors you see and any medicines you take
• Give advice to help you prevent disease, improve your health, and stay well
• Look for any changes in your ability to think, learn, or remember

The doctor or nurse will give you a short, written plan – like a checklist – to take home with you. This plan will include any screening tests and other preventive services that you will need over the next 5 to 10 years. Preventive services are health-care services that keep you from getting sick.

Plan Your Visit

When Can You Go for a Yearly Wellness Visit

You can get a wellness visit when:

• You have had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months.
• It has been at least 12 months since your last wellness visit.

Do You Need to Have a “Welcome to Medicare” Visit First

You do not need to have a “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit before getting a yearly wellness visit.

If you choose to get the “Welcome to Medicare” visit during the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B, you will have to wait 12 months before you can get your first yearly wellness visit.

What about Cost

With Medicare Part B, you can get a wellness visit once a year at no cost to you. Check to make sure the doctor or nurse accepts Medicare when you schedule your appointment.

If you get any tests or services that are not included in the yearly wellness visit (like an extra blood test), you may have to pay some of those costs.

Who Can Get Medicare Coverage

Medicare is a federal health insurance program. You may be able to get Medicare if you:

• Are age 65 or older
• Are under age 65 and have a disability
• Have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called “Lou Gehrig disease”
• Have end-stage renal disease (permanent kidney failure)

You must be living in the United States legally for at least 5 years to qualify for Medicare.

Make an Appointment

Take these steps to help you get the most out of your Medicare yearly wellness visit.

Schedule Your Medicare Yearly Wellness Visit

Call your doctor’s office and ask to schedule your Medicare yearly wellness visit. Make sure it has been at least 12 months since your last wellness visit.

Get Ready

Gather Important Information

Take any medical records or information you have to the appointm...