What is an Annual Wellness Exam?

When was the last time you went to the doctor when you weren’t sick? For a lot of us, healthcare tends to be something we think about when something hurts, we catch a bug, or we just don’t feel right. But checking in on your health when you’re feeling perfectly fine can be just as important.

That’s where an annual wellness exam comes in. An annual wellness exam is a chance to take a look at your overall health, talk about any changes you’ve noticed, and identify potential concerns before they become bigger problems. And if getting an appointment with your primary care provider isn’t convenient or you don’t currently have one, an urgent care provider may be able to help with many routine physical and wellness needs.

What Happens During an Annual Wellness Exam?

Your visit will depend on your age, medical history, health risks, and reason for the exam, but it will typically start with the basics.

Your provider may check things like your:

• Blood pressure
• Heart rate
• Height and weight
• Heart and lungs
• Abdomen
• Skin
• Reflexes and general physical health

Your provider will also likely ask about your medical history, medications, family health history, lifestyle, and any changes or concerns you’ve noticed since your last exam.

This is also your opportunity to bring up the little things you’ve been meaning to ask about.

Maybe you’ve been more tired than usual. Maybe your sleep hasn’t been great. Perhaps you’ve noticed a change in your weight, digestion, or energy level. Or maybe you feel completely fine and simply want to make sure you’re staying on top of your health.

Depending on your age, history, and individual risk factors, your provider may also recommend lab work or additional screenings.

Can You Get an Annual Exam at Urgent Care?

Depending on the services offered by the urgent care center, yes. Urgent care isn’t only for coughs, cuts, and sprained ankles. At Marque Urgent Care, our providers can evaluate your general health and perform many types of physical exams and routine testing. If something comes up during your visit that requires additional testing, ongoing monitoring, or specialty care, your provider can discuss appropriate next steps with you.

For someone who doesn’t have an established primary care provider, has trouble getting an appointment, or simply needs a more convenient option, urgent care can be a helpful place to start.

How Is This Different From Seeing My Primary Care Provider?

The biggest difference is continuity of care. Your primary care provider typically has an ongoing relationship with you and follows your health over many years. They may manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, coordinate care with specialists, and keep track of long-term changes in your health.

An urgent care provider generally sees you for a specific visit and may not have the same extensive history or long-term relationship with you. That doesn’t mean a physical at urgent care isn’t valuable. It simply serves a slightly different purpose. Think of urgent care as another way to stay engaged with your health when seeing your regular doctor isn’t an option. And if something is identified that would benefit from long-term monitoring, your urgent care provider may recommend following up with your PCP or an appropriate specialist.

Why Get an Exam If I Feel Fine?

Because feeling healthy and knowing what’s happening with your health aren’t always the same thing. Certain health concerns can develop without obvious symptoms. High blood pressure is a great example; many people can have it without feeling any different.

Routine exams give you and your healthcare provider an opportunity to look at the bigger picture and discuss preventive care based on your age, family history, and personal risk factors.

They can also give you a baseline. Knowing what your blood pressure, weight, and other health markers look like when you’re feeling well can make it easier to recognize meaningful changes down the road.

Don’t Wait Until Something Is Wrong

We’re all busy, and it’s easy to put off routine healthcare when nothing seems wrong. But preventive care is an important part of taking care of yourself. Whether it’s been a year since your last physical or it’s been quite a bit longer, getting checked is a simple way to stay informed about your health. And remember: an annual exam isn’t only about finding something wrong. It’s also about confirming what’s going right, asking questions, and making a plan to stay healthy in the year ahead.

If you’re due for a physical or wellness exam, Marque Urgent Care is here to help. Our providers can evaluate your overall health, discuss any concerns, and help determine whether additional testing, follow-up care, or a visit with your primary care provider or specialist is recommended.