Annual visits with your primary care provider can help detect potential health problems early and improve your outcomes.

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Seeing your primary care provider every year, even if you are feeling well, is important to keep you healthy.

A yearly exam can:

• Help detect signs and symptoms of disease early, which allows for early intervention
• Make sure you are caught up on all health screenings that are appropriate for your age, gender and personal history. Examples include prostate screening, mammograms, pap smears, glucose checks, cholesterol checks and more.
• Allow you time to talk with your provider about your health and ask any questions. He or she can also provide healthy habit advice.
• Assess your mental health and stress levels

Most insurance companies, including Medicare, cover annual wellness visits at no cost to you.

Checking in annually with a primary care provider (doctor or nurse practitioner) can help you build a strong patient-provider relationship, which can have a profound impact on your health. A primary care provider serves as your health care compass, guiding you through medical decisions and tailoring a personalized plan for your health.

One of the key benefits of having a primary care provider is continuity of care. We are here for the long haul – building a history with you, understanding your health concerns and ensuring seamless coordination of care when specialists become part of the equation.

It’s easy to neglect our health amidst competing priorities. But remember, you can’t take care of everyone else if you aren’t healthy. Prioritize regular checkups as an investment in your future well-being.

If you already have an established primary care provider, that’s great! Check your calendar and make sure you’ve had your annual checkup. If not, visit https://www.nmhs.net/find-a-doctor/ to find a doctor near you.

Small Steps, Better Health

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