Do you go to the doctor to get routine annual (once a year) check-ups?

[Prof_Don]

In the USA, it's said that Americans on average only go to the doctor when they're sick, and there is little focus on "preventative health"...

...

...such as annual check-ups on weight, bodyfat %, blood pressure, blood lipid/cholesterol level, heartbeat, etc.

Being a former agent in the health and life insurance business, I know that the focus for health care has focused more on "preventative health", which makes sense because ailments can be detected more quickly, and are more quickly treated before they become full-blown and uncontrollable.

Health care is more cost and time efficient that way (sorry to state the obvious lol).

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I'm curious about how many people actually DO go to the doctor to get annual check-ups.

Whether you reside in the USA or elsewhere, please vote and reply, giving as much detail as you wish.

Yes, I always go to the doctor to get my check-up once a year

No; I go to the doctor for check-ups, but not once a year

No; I don't have medical insurance

No; it costs too much and/or is a waste of money/time

No; I only go to the doctor if I'm seriously sick or injured

[hazuki-chan]

It is recommended to get checked up at least yearly, even if nothing is wrong, to ensure that nothing goes wrong. For women, it's almost required. Go to the doctor and get checked for HPV, PAP smear test, Breast Cancer checks, and things of that sort. Women who are sexually active should really consider this, since we are those with the most risk.

That's how I found out I had Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. I wouldn't found that out if I hadn't decided to get checked. That "unnecessary" check up probably saved my life.

[Prettygurl12]

I go once or twice a year for check-ups. Otherwise I don't go unless I'm dying.

I have to go once a year like a normal person but every other year I have to go to the hospital and get an MRI to make sure whatever was in my brain that caused my stroke is still gone.

It's been negative for 19 years. I don't know why I have to keep going back.

[JMJ1983]

We get really good insurance benefits from work, their policy is we should be medically examined 4x per year, 2x on site by the company nursing assistant and 2x by our doctor. Once a year, we get to do a complete full screening for cancer, full heart test and dental.

[AndyWes]

No way! For starters, I'm a healthy guy. I exercise, work out. Why go to the doctor if I'm not sick?

For two, do you know how often doctors get stuff wrong and get people seriously hurt or killed? It happens a frickin lot!

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[DebiPie]

Trick question for me. With my illness, I have to go monthly, so I get a check up each time. And it is costly. The last 3 years my insurance has changed, for the worse, covering less and less, and costs me more and more. I even buy some of my meds through the vet now because it's cheaper. Ain't that a kick in the head?

[Temporary46]

Nope, I don't have health insurance.

I just wait until it's an emergency and go into the emergency and then I don't pay my bill because they didn't do anything to help anyways and want to then charge me thousands of dollars...

It's the American way.

[koolit6]

Aren't you happy Obama made that bill just for you!

[Temporary46]

Yeah koolit6 I'm not really sure what you mean. Am I happy that I can't afford good health care. No.

As for Obama, I don't put much faith in the American political system and I don't follow it because I don't enjoy politics that much. I wish politicians would just shut up and work.

[gemini72]

I live in Canada where our health care is covered by medicare. While this is not a reason to go to the doctor for every sniff and cough, it does give one a piece of mind that no matter what, you will be seen.

I go for annuals simply because I always have. If I lived in a country where medicare (as I know it) wasn't available, I would try to ensure that I had some sort of coverage that allowed me to do that or moreso for the kids.

[samhradh_leannan]

I don't go for regular checkups anymore (I did when I was a kid), but I usually end up at the doctor's office at least once a year anyway. I don't go for every sniffle, but I tend to be prone to health concerns that I am constantly trying to get to the bottom of.

[windy-rose]

In my experience, unless I had something that I needed a perscptiion for, it hasn't been worth my time to go. I don't really need sometime to re-affirm the fact I'm perfectly healthy every year and when things are going astray, I've usually been able to say exactly what's wrong (sometimes even correctly state what meds I need).

I'm good about monitoring myself, no need to pay someone else to.

[vishna]

Maybe because I'm a minor but...I always go once a year.

They check how my spine is growing, how I feel, maybe if I need a physical for a sport I kill two birds with one stone, and all the basics you listed above...but I always go

I like the doctors office :)

[LuvBiddy]

No, I feel fine most of the time (knock on wood) and there is always an out-of-pocket cost that you must pay for a physical. It is never 100% free to go to any doctor. So why go just for fun? Esp. if you're under say 45.

[emzy-89]

i don't go for a once a year checkup, I just go whever I need to. this is usually more than once a yr.

[whattothink]

I see my ob/gyn for a yearly and my GP for a yearly. That way all my bases and tests are covered. If you don't prevent it how do you expect to catch something in time?

[MusicLuvr]

I like to go to the doctor for my yearly checkup, but also whenever I am sick because it always seems to turn into a case of bronchitis. Or when I am injured, lol. Hope this Helps! =D

[CatholicVirginia]

For most of my life, I only went to the doctor when absolutely necessary. This year I've started trying to keep up with appointments and get out of the mindset that I don't need one.

[musicbrain5]

Yeah I go once a year at least only because I have tons of allergies that have to be monitored. But I don't pay for thankfully - if I did I would surely be deep in debt!

[kdizzleforizzle91]

I actually don't go that often, mainly because I haven't had insurance for a couple years. But if it weren't for that... I still probably wouldn't go that often.

[uglyvirgin]

you aren't covered by your parents health insurance under obama's healthcare law?

[kdizzleforizzle91]

Their insurance is through the state... the medical card. It only covers you till you're 19.

[jpinka]

if I need to go I will I dnt go every year but less at least within 2 years I would. if I felt like I didn't need the check up I wouldn't go

[obligations]

i put E.

But the bigger reason is my doctor sucks and I haven't had time to change my primary doc lol.

[may04]

I go yearly- mainly because in my career field I'm exposed to blood on a regular basis so I get a HIV test jic

[hunnybunny81105]

Oops, I answered wrong. I thought it was a yearly check up for women. No I don't because it cost too much. I only go if I'm really sick.

[WeaponZero]

My doctor requires all of his patients who he follows to come every 6 months. I think it's a good thing.

[Anonymous]

I only have limited medical insurance through the state that only covers emergency room visits and ambulance rides. When I did have medical insurance, yes I did get annual check ups, but now I can't afford to.

[uglyvirgin]

Americans only go the doctor when there sick and do go for preventative. Because unlike in Canada or England we can't just walk into the doctors office for free.