Did you know that a sports physical or a school physical is not always the same as a well-child visit?
Date: 08/09/20
School sports physicals can screen for major problems, such as cardiac issues, but they can’t replace an annual visit with your child’s pediatrician or family physician. Back-to-school time is full of community health fairs and sports physical events. Your child might have recently had a school physical, sports physical or a daycare physical at one of these types of events. If your child did not see their primary doctor for the physical, you still should call your child’s family doctor to schedule a well-child visit.
Your well-child exam is more than just a physical. Your primary doctor knows your child’s medical history and will be better able to answer any questions that you might have. This is also the perfect opportunity to get younger children in for their well-child exam.
Schedule a well-child visit for younger siblings at the same time as school-age children. Your doctor will talk to you about what you can do to help your child get ready for kindergarten. Take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and learn from your child’s doctor - a trusted source.
Here is a guide about when your child should be visiting their primary doctor for a well-child visit:
- 3-5 days
- 1 month
- 2 months
- 4 months
- 6 months
- 9 months
- 12 months
- 15 months
- 18 months
- and every year age 24 months to 20 years
Did you know you can earn My Health Pays® rewards when you take your child for a well-child visit?
- You can earn up to $60 total ($10/visit) for well-child visits for children 0-15 months old.
- You can earn $20 for well-child visits for children 16 months and older.
Be prepared! Make the most of your time with the doctor. Bring the following with you to your child’s appointment:
- Complete list of medications, vitamins or supplements that your child is taking
- Any immunization records you have
- A list of questions or concerns that you would like to talk to the doctor about
For more information on immunizations your child needs, check out the Immunization Schedule for Children 0-6 Years Old and Immunization Schedule for Children 7-18 Years Old.