New Year, New You: 3 Reasons to Schedule Your Annual Physical Now

Many people put off their annual physical until something forces them to schedule it — a medication refill, a work requirement, or a health scare. January is a better time to get it done while you’re already thinking about your health.

At Extended Care Medical in Dothan, Alabama, our team provides routine physical exams that help you stay on top of your health. Getting yours scheduled early in the year makes sense for several reasons.

Here’s why January is the right time to get your physical done instead of putting it off until later.

1. Catch problems before they become expensive or dangerous

Routine physicals identify health issues when they’re still manageable. Many serious conditions don’t cause symptoms you can feel, but they damage your body over time.

Common conditions found during physicals

Annual exams regularly catch these problems before they cause any noticeable symptoms:

Elevated blood sugar levels that indicate prediabetes
High cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease
High blood pressure
Kidney function decline
Thyroid disorders
Vitamin deficiencies
Abnormal liver function

Finding these conditions early means addressing them with lifestyle changes or medication before they turn into heart disease, stroke, or organ failure.

2. Your insurance coverage starts fresh in January

Check your insurance plan to see when your deductible resets and what preventive care coverage you have. Many plans reset on January 1 and cover annual physicals at no cost, but coverage varies widely between plans.

For example, some plans cover the physical exam but charge for lab work. Others bundle everything together under preventive care. Calling your insurance company before scheduling helps you understand exactly what you'll pay.

If your plan covers preventive care at 100%, scheduling early in the year means you can take advantage of that benefit before other medical expenses come up.

3. You establish a health baseline for the year ahead

Your physical exam creates a snapshot of your current health. This baseline becomes the comparison point for everything that happens throughout the year.

What we track over time

These measurements help us identify developing problems before they become serious:

Blood pressure patterns
Weight changes
Cholesterol levels
Blood sugar trends
Kidney and liver function
Heart rate and rhythm

Small changes in health markers can signal developing problems.

For example, a five-pound weight gain might not seem like much, but if it happens every year, that’s a pattern worth addressing. Slightly increasing blood pressure readings over several years show a trend that needs attention before it becomes a diagnosis.

What happens during your physical

Your exam starts with a conversation about your overall health. This is when you bring up any changes or symptoms you’ve noticed, even minor ones. We’ll also address questions about your health and wellness.

We review your personal and family health history, particularly during your first visit. Bring a list of medications and supplements you take, including dosages. This information affects treatment decisions and helps identify potential drug interactions.

Components of your exam

The physical exam includes:

Skin assessment
Lung and breathing function
Blood pressure and temperature
Weight and height measurements
Basic hearing and vision checks
Lab work based on your age and health history

Some conditions require additional monitoring or referrals to specialists. We discuss next steps before you leave, so you know exactly what to do.

Schedule your physical in Dothan

Starting your year with a physical exam gives you clear information about your health and time to address any problems. At Extended Care Medical, we provide thorough evaluations and create plans that fit your health needs.

Call our Dothan office today or schedule an appointment online to book your annual physical.