Federal guidelines no longer recommend routine annual physicals for healthy people. But doctors still say they're important:
In a survey, 74% of physicians felt that a yearly visit improved detection of early illness, despite little scientific support for the practice. Most agreed, too, that it improved the doctor-patient relationship.
So can you skip your physical? Ask your doctor, but in general, it's still a good idea for healthy people to have a checkup every year or two, says the American Medical Association. People with high cholesterol, hypertension, obesity or other ongoing health problems should see a doctor more often. (Kids should see a pediatrician annually.)
Some health plans have changed their coverage based on current guidelines, so review yours to make sure you're covered. If you can't get a yearly physical, take advantage of free blood pressure and cholesterol screenings at drugstores and at the office.
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