Appointments to Make in the Coming Year

The beginning of the year is an opportunity for a fresh start. You can look at the next 12 months and decide what you’d like to do differently in your life. How about taking greater control of your health?

You can start by creating a list of medical appointments for the coming year. The list should include not only annual visits, but also any preventive services that you’re eligible for. Below are some appointments to consider.

Annual Visits

• Primary care — A wellness visit is an opportunity to talk with your primary care provider about your overall health and get answers to any questions you have. Your primary care provider will also review any medications you are taking and may recommend vaccinations and preventive screenings. If you have children, they should visit their pediatrician annually beginning at 3 years old (and more frequently before then). Medicare beneficiaries with Part B coverage can get a free annual wellness visit.
• Ob-gyn — In addition to seeing a primary care provider annually, people who need gynecology care should also visit their provider at least once a year. The provider may do a pelvic exam, as well as screenings for cancer and sexually transmitted infections. 
• Dentist — For most people, visiting a dentist is recommended every six months. At a minimum, you should go once a year. Dental checkups involve cleaning your teeth, doing a comprehensive exam, and may include taking X-rays to look for early signs of decay or other problems. 
• Optometrist — Adults ages 18 to 64 should get an eye exam at least once every two years. Children and adults ages 65 years or older should get annual exams. People with certain health conditions, such as diabetes, should receive an eye exam every year.
• Dermatologist — The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends an annual visit to a dermatologist for people who have an elevated risk of skin cancer. This checkup involves examining you from head-to-toe for signs of skin cancer and possibly removing pre-cancerous skin growths.

Preventive Screenings

Depending on your risk factors, such as age and family history, you may need to schedule one or more preventive screenings in the coming year. Here are some common ones.

• Breast cancer. Mammograms can find breast cancer early, before it spreads to other parts of the body. Women ages 40 or older should be screened annually until age 55 and then every other year after age 55. Younger women at increased risk should speak with their provider about earlier screening options. Read our blog about the importance of mammogram screening.
• Prostate cancer. Men ages 50 and older at average risk for prostate cancer should consider an annual lab test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA), along with a digital rectal exam by a physician. Men at higher risk may want to start annual screening at age 45. Check out our article on managing your prostate health for more information.
• Colorectal cancer. There are now several ways to screen for colorectal cancer, including lab tests and colonoscopy. People between the ages of 45 and 75 should be screened. Talk with your doctor about which option is best for you, and how often you should be screened. Check out our article on what really happens during a colonoscopy. 
• Lung cancer. It’s recommended that people between ages 50 and 80 get an annual lung cancer screening if they have a 20 pack-year smoking history and currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years.
• Osteoporosis. As people get older, they lose bone mass faster than their body can replace it. They may develop a condition called osteoporosis, which can cause weak and broken bones. Women ages 65 and older should be screened for osteoporosis. Postmenopausal women younger than 65 who have an increased risk of osteoporosis should also be screened.

There are many more recommended preventive screenings available. Check out these 12 preventive screenings to help you stay healthy.

Vaccinations

It’s a good idea to add to your calendar reminders to get an annual flu shot and COVID-19 vaccine booster in the fall (September or October). People at high risk of COVID-19 may also want to get a booster at the beginning of the summer — a time when infections have been increasing. Read more about why people are still getting COVID-19.

Another annual vaccination to consider is for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which spreads in the fall and winter. RSV can be dangerous for infants and older adults. Immunizations are available to protect both age groups.

Staying Organized

You can organize and keep track of annual visits, vaccinations, and preventive screenings by using the My Care Checklist feature in our Be Well Vermont digital platform. It’s free for Blue Cross Vermont members — all you need to register is your member ID number. Once you’ve logged in, hover over the health tab in the main navigation menu and select My Care Checklist. For more information, watch our overview video on the My Care Checklist.

Healthy New Year

We hope you’ll take advantage of your health plan’s benefits in the coming year to schedule preventive medical appointments and stay healthy. All of us at Blue Cross Vermont wish you and your family a healthy and happy new year!