Do you get a physical/ medical yearly...

[recycled sixtie]

or do you wait until something goes wrong with your body?In our province we are allowed one a year and that includes blood tests, ecg etc. Ie. that is free for us. And you? If not , then why not?

[JTO]

Annually, around my birthday

[fintstone]

I wait until I am sick...every 10-15 years. It costs me nothing...but it is certainly not free as someone (taxpayer) pays.

[BeyGon]

two a year, one with the VA and one with Hoag Hospital, plus blood tests at least twice a year, I pay for insurance out of pocket, I have no deductible.

"that is free for us. And you? If not , then why not?"

no it isn't, nothing is free, that's where your problem is.

[74-911]

Not until I got into my 50's age-wise. Since then, physical annually and blood tests every 6 months due to 20 mg of Lipitor daily.

[Targa Me]

As of age 53 I get a physical yearly, and it's a good thing too because i was headed down the wrong path.
It's comforting knowing where you stand as far as physicals go. Why wait until something is wrong?
You might think about it this way... Would you drive your P-car without regular maintenance and inspection and just wait until it doesn't run anymore?

[billybek]

Originally Posted by BeyGon

"that is free for us. And you? If not , then why not?"

no it isn't, nothing is free, that's where your problem is.

Once per year. Started getting them pretty regularly after I had turned 40.

A better description would be we pay for the service via taxes, why not use it?

At the risk of parfing this up further, I for one am thankful that we have universal healthcare in Canada even though I pay a lot for it. I certainly don't view it as a problem.

[jyl]

More or less annually.

However, I'm a bit underwhelmed at the scope of a "physical" today. It seems to be scan the chart (electronic), listen to heart, BP, weight, "how you feeling", and blood work. Granted the blood work is quite comprehensive.

I gather than when I pass 50 in a couple months, my physicals will probe a little, err, deeper [high pitched squeal].

[jcommin]

Every year - wellness visits are paid 100% by my insurance and I get a discount, wellness, non-smoking.

[LeeH]

Pretty much every year. Had some questions last time that resulted in additional blood tests... found out those test were not covered as part of the physical. Apparently you're supposed to show up and hope the doc finds any problems. If you mention that anything might be wrong then the insurance company prefers you make a separate appointment so you can pay for it.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by jyl

More or less annually.

However, I'm a bit underwhelmed at the scope of a "physical" today. It seems to be scan the chart (electronic), listen to heart, BP, weight, "how you feeling", and blood work. Granted the blood work is quite comprehensive.

I gather than when I pass 50 in a couple months, my physicals will probe a little, err, deeper [high pitched squeal].

Just ditched our GP for this, my wife had been with him almost 40 years. Our new kid GP is proactive and came highly recommended by my neighbour, who is my buddy and also my no nonsense nephrologist (renal calculi).

I'm getting the full meal deal and I'm scheduled for probing in 2 weeks.

[Hard-Deck]

Yes, every year since I'm in the military. The years have taken their toll on my body but I'm still humpin'.

[aigel]

I send my car's oil for analysis every 50k miles, so why wouldn't I do the same for my body?

I have found on PPOT that there are many guys that never go to the doc. Pretty scary, IMHO, especially once you reach middle age.

Yearly physicals since my early 30s. The focus is on a comprehensive blood test, but those reveal a lot. If you take them seriously, you can make lifestyle changes, before you cause permanent damage. Also, I never go to the Dr. the rest of the year, so it is a good chance to have anything minor checked out that may have developed when you are there for your annual visit.

Yes, the visit is not free, even if you ignore the $25 co-pay. My job and I myself pay for it, so I want to apply some of that. I firmly believe that an ounce of prevention here will reduce future cost to the insurance through early intervention.

Cheers,

George

[flatbutt]

yes but I have extenuating circumstances. If not for that I probably would just check blood chemistry.

[Ronbo]

Full physical annually and blood checks/general checkup every three months due to diabetes.

[gamin]

Both wife and I see the doc twice per year with blood tested on one of the visits. We both see the dentist twice per year. You can't catch bad stuff soon enough.

[Oh Haha]

DOT exam yearly and then again when I have to replenish my high blood pressure tablets.

[RWebb]

a physical exam is not only free but saves money for the entire healthcare system - when you catch something early, it costs a LOT LESS to treat it (and is often less painful and disruptive also)

an old rule of thumb is to get 2 in your 20's; 3 in your 30's etc.

after 60 every year is smart; maybe after 50 too

[VINMAN]

Have to get a full in depth one, every year as part of my firefighting job, but would get one yearly anyway

[Hugh R]

Annually, paid for by the Insurance Co, and has been that way for 10 years.