Annual Physicals

I can’t address men’s physicals, but I recently discovered that Medicare doesn’t cover annual physical exams, only Wellness Checks. I had to amend the reason for my visit.

Hi
Also the human body gets acclimate real fast
For example when I go to the gym I see guys an girls training of balance by favoring one side over the other to them it feels normal an looks normal so when you get checkup ask for a full exam
Leads me to the joke of the day
Guy gets a physical exam when he s done he asks the Dr, for results
Dr. says your fat
Guy says I want a second a opinion
Dr. your Ugly too

My old doctor that retired did a full physical for the annual wellness, even though medicare doesn't want the wellness done like that. Yep he had you strip down and did complete exam. Current doc, just talks to me and listens to heart. Doesn't even do what he says in summary of visit, like check pedal pulse. My old doc, I still see around and he comes up and visits. Said he retired early as sick of insurance companies and medicare.

New Dr. this year seen twice in 90 days ..never touched me other than shaking my hand ..I'm a diabetic heart ..stroke ..16meds a day .. bever did a thing both times I saw him

@bigj I think I went to that doctor once

My last 3 or 4 yearly physicals were very short and I assume the blood work, which is quite extensive, reveals any issues. I am quite healthy according to blood results so I am satisfied. I am 80 yrs old.

Blame the Medical Schools not teaching the exam properly. Using simulation
dummies in place of patients. The scans, high tech labs and time constraints
have taken away human touch. Private investment and insurance with electronic records to feed were the perfect storm.
Maybe Dr Google isn’t so bad -our doctors need help since the system has been compromised and they lost control of their profession. There is a lot of moral burnout for your doctor knowing he can’t overcome all the hoops to
deliver what you need with this broken system. Advocate for yourself and
those you care about.

For 30 years my annual physicals would start with me stripped to my boxer shorts, which my doctor eventually would have me drop at the end to check for testicular cancer, check for hernia and perform the DRE. Then my doctor retired. My current PCP, not a young man either, doesn't even have me take off my shirt to listen to my heart. In the time that it would take to check for testicular cancer, he recites that the US Preventive Services Task Force no longer suggest that be done. When I ask him to check to see if my right inguinal hernia has gotten worse, he does so grudgingly saying if it isn't symptomatic it doesn't need being done, even though my surgical history says a hernia on the left side required surgical repair. Instead of a physical exam, as part of the annual Medicare wellness exam, his nurse has me draw a clock face as part of a cognitive test! My current doctor has seen me naked in the locker room at the gym that I go to, so I don't think he thinks I am too modest for a thorough exam. I can't believe how much the annual physical has changed. I'm tempted to search for an old school doctor nearer retirement age.

I see a number of specialists for various reasons along with my primary physician. I've had to find "replacements" over the years when my docs have retired or moved on to another location out of state. I do my research and seek referrals from others before choosing a "replacement". Most of the time I am fortunate and the new docs have worked out. In my first appointment with someone new I can tell if this is someone (1) I want to trust with my life and (2) I know he/she cares about me as their patient. If they don't meet both of these objectives I will not see them a second time and I'll go through this process until I am satisfied. (As a side note, I am very fortunate that I live in a city and state known for top notch medical care. For this, I am blessed with options.)

@mikead63 Oh I understand that. It looks me years to find a replacement primary care doctor. The first had my records but couldn't be bothered to "dig them out of the closet" when my appointment told them I was a patient of the former doctor 6 weeks earlier. The biggest part of his physical was trying to sell me on a test because the hospital associated had a new machine and it was on sale. The next I really liked but the staff was horrible. My $5 copay was tried to turn into a $312 balance and then arguments from them, I got locked in the office at lunch because everyone was in the back and forgot me, the doc found me wandering the halls about 15 minutes later. The next one was a nice guy but never seemed to hear anything I was saying.... How do you feel? I'm tired all the time. Oh, do you have a rash? No. Okay see you next year. That kind of thing. I like the one I have now but she is very hands off, which seems to be common now. A physical or wellness check or whatever you want to call it seems pretty unnecessary now... Just write the order and I can go get blood drawn, I don't really need to come see you. No more proactive, now merely reactive, and we know more now than ever in the medical field. Guess I won't go back until I get sick and can't get better