Staying Healthy in the New Year
Annual exams prevent disease and protect your long term health. Check out these common FAQs from Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center to learn more.
- published: 2020/01/20
- contact: UNO Health Center
- phone: 402.554.2374
- email: unohealth@unomaha.edu
- search keywords:
- Health Center
- Preventative Care
The beginning of a new year is the perfect time to refocus on your health and wellbeing. The best place to start is by scheduling a check up with a health care provider.
Annual exams prevent disease and protect your long term health. Not convinced you need one? Check out these common FAQs from Nebraska Medicine UNO Health Center to learn more.
I’m healthy, so why would I need to see a provider?
Even if you consider yourself a healthy person, the screenings and conversations that come from an annual exam can reveal risk factors for diseases and hidden health problems. Remember, not all health concerns have obvious symptoms that you will see or feel. By the time these symptoms are obvious to you, the problem could have escalated to a dangerous point. This is why it’s essential to check in with your health care provider every year to make sure you are in tip top shape.
What can I expect at an annual exam?
Your health care provider will review your personal and family medical history, including vaccinations, to make sure everything is up to date. They will ask you questions about your wellbeing, such as your diet and exercise habits, alcohol and tobacco use and symptoms you may have noticed in your body. They also may order a wellness profile, which is a blood draw that takes a snapshot of your current health to determine if you are at risk for diseases. Expect to leave the appointment with a health related checklist of “to dos” for the next 12 months.
What concerns should I share with my provider during the exam?
If you’re worried about a symptom you’ve experienced lately, speak up. Maybe you want to learn more about medical information you’ve read online or seen on TV. This is your chance to get clarification from your provider. No question is dumb or silly!
Is it expensive?
Cost varies, but most insurance companies cover the service partially or completely as a preventive exam. If you don’t have insurance, many health care offices provide discounted services for paying out of pocket. It’s worth paying a smaller cost now than waiting until your concerns have developed into long term conditions that could cost you thousands in medical bills down the road.
How will I find the time?
You’re busy, we get it. To make it easier on your schedule, have your annual exam while you’re on campus at the UNO Health Center. Call the Nebraska Medicine appointment line at 402.554.2374 to schedule. Physicals are not covered by student fees but can be easily submitted to your private insurance. Wellness profiles are no additional cost.
To learn more, visit the Nebraska Medicine - UNO Health Center website.
About the University of Nebraska at Omaha
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