
The importance of a yearly physical
Oct 13, 2014
Why travellers prefer Blue Cross
Oct 13, 2014
When was the last time you had an annual exam?? If you can’t recall, then perhaps this year is a good time to book an appointment with your doctor. Seeing your doctor for a regular checkup is important, even if you are healthy.
Now referred to as personal health visits, annual physical exams are no longer believed to be required for healthy individuals. In November 2012, the Ontario Medical Association and the Ontario government agreed to change the OHIP fee schedule, deeming that physical exams are no longer necessary on a yearly basis.
The change came about because of the results of a study by the Cochrane Review (2012) examining the benefits of general health checkups. The study found that annual physicals were not effective in preventing disease and were not cost effective. You can learn more about the changes in a report by the College of Family Physicians of Canada.
There are many valid reasons for you to visit your doctor on a regular basis, whether that’s annually, every 18 months or every other year, even if you are healthy. Reasons include:
To get the most out of your appointment with your doctor:
When was the last time you went to the doctor to get a physical? Do you get a yearly physical? Why or why not?
Learn more about your health care and personal health insurance coverage options by checking out our health tips.