A prepared patient gets more out of a 30-minute appointment than an unprepared one. Doctors have limited time per visit. If you walk in with your medication list, your questions written down, and your family history ready, the appointment covers more ground. If you show up blank, half the time gets spent on basics.
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Even if you've been to this provider before. Insurance info sometimes changes and front desks always ask.
Write them out: drug name, dosage, frequency. Include supplements and over-the-counter medications. Interactions matter.
Appointments are short. Without a list, you'll forget half of what you wanted to ask once you're in the room.
Many practices send pre-visit paperwork. Completing it before you arrive saves time and lets the doctor review it beforehand.
Bloodwork from the past year, specialist notes, imaging results. Prevents redundant testing and gives context.
Heart disease, cancer, diabetes — first-degree relatives. If you know it, bring it. If you're not sure, note that too.
It depends on the bloodwork your doctor plans to order. Fasting is required for:
| Test | Fasting required? | Fast duration |
|---|---|---|
| Fasting glucose | Yes | 8–12 hours |
| Lipid panel (cholesterol) | Usually yes | 9–12 hours |
| HbA1c (diabetes screening) | No | — |
| Complete blood count (CBC) | No | — |
| Thyroid (TSH) | No | — |
| Basic metabolic panel | Sometimes | 8 hours if required |
When in doubt, call the office when you book the appointment and ask. Water is fine during any fast. Coffee with milk or sugar is not.
A standard annual physical typically covers:
The appointment is more useful if you've thought about what you want to cover before walking in. A 30-minute slot goes fast.
Screening recommendations shift as you get older. Here's a rough guide to what your doctor is likely to prioritize:
Preparation matters, but only if you actually go. Set your annual physical reminder a month before your target date so you have time to book the appointment. And before you go, check what your insurance covers so you're not surprised by the bill.
Most plans cover the wellness visit itself at no cost, but additional labs or a follow-up discussion of a symptom can convert it to a billable visit. See the full breakdown: is an annual physical covered by insurance?
Your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications (with dosages), any completed forms sent by your provider, and a list of questions or symptoms you want to discuss. If it's a new provider, bring relevant health records or test results from the past 1 to 2 years.
It depends on what your doctor plans to order. If you're getting a fasting glucose or lipid panel, yes — typically 8 to 12 hours of no food or caloric drinks. Ask your doctor's office when you book the appointment so you can plan accordingly.
A standard annual physical includes a blood pressure check, heart rate, height and weight, a head-to-toe physical exam, and bloodwork (CBC, metabolic panel, lipid panel). Age-appropriate screenings like colonoscopies or mammograms may be ordered or discussed.
Ask about your blood pressure and cholesterol trends, which screenings are due for your age, whether any medications need adjusting, and family history risks you should monitor. If you have specific symptoms, bring a written list — appointments are short and it's easy to forget.
Typically 30 to 60 minutes for a thorough exam. If it's a new provider or you have multiple issues to discuss, expect closer to 60. If you're following up on known conditions, it may be shorter.
In your 20s: STI screenings, blood pressure, mental health check-in. 30s: add diabetes screening if at risk. 40s: cholesterol, glucose, discussion of cancer screening timelines. 50s+: colonoscopy, mammogram or prostate screening, bone density. Your doctor will guide the specific recommendations.
Prep is only useful if you show up. Set your annual physical reminder now — you'll get emails days before your target date so you have time to book.
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