Skin Cancer Specialist
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Preventative care is an important part of the services we provide here at Danvers Family Doctors. As such, we strongly advise patients to remain up to date on their annual physicals. This allows us to provide the best care to all of our patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does It Include?
Preventative care encompasses all of the screen measures observed in the office (blood pressure, physical exam, screening questions) as well as testing and imaging that is sent out to local labs and imaging facilities. This reflects a shift in healthcare away from reactive care to preventative care that seeks to address problems before they happen, rather than afterwards.
How Important are Annual Physicals for Preventative Care?
Regardless of a patients level of health, annual physical exams allow for consist face-to-face contact between yourself and the provider that can illuminate early stages of diseases. By viewing each patient holistically through a physical examinations and conversation your healthcare provider is able to to create a trend of your health and recognize deviations from this as a potential signal for a looming health concern. A disease or illness caught early on like this can allow for a more repaid and effective treatment of it. Additionally, annual exams allow patients to share any concerns they have for their health and have access to prevent measures like flu shot immunizations.
What kinds of preventative care are covered by insurance?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question as coverage varies by insurer and is based on things like age and pre-existing conditions. Many cover testing for cholesterol and blood pressure and some also include coverage for screenings of colorectal, breast, and cervical cancers. Insurers are also more likely to cover vaccinations for infants and young children. The copay, however, is $0 at the time of visit for all insurers, with additional costs being applied as deemed necessary by the insurer. Please know that we have no say in how these charges are determined and any questions should be directed to your insurance provider along these lines. Additionally, changes in the Affordable Care Act that went into effect 1/1/25 have also shifted coverage measures and as such we do NOT order blood testing until you are at the annual appointment and request that you reach out to your insurer regarding what testing they do cover so as to avoid an unexpected large bill. Insurance also does not typically cover exams if they are within the same year so we recommend that patients schedule their next exam for at least a year and a day from the last one to avoid a lack of coverage by your insurer.
How does counseling fit into plans for preventive care?
At Danvers Family Doctors, our providers tailor counseling to each patient. Because our team gets to know each patient well, they are able to provide individualized recommendations for improving health, such as plans for achieving optimal nutrition and and exercise, implementing vitamins and supplements, and finding ways to aid in mental health difficulties you may face. The goal of preventive care is to help patients achieve optimal health and avoid illnesses that could have been avoided. Through cooperative efforts between patients and their providers, many serious diseases that people suffer from today can be avoided.
When Should I Book my Annual Exam?
We recommend scheduling your annual exam for the next year before you leave your current exam. This prevents delaying the appointment due to oversight of it in the future or in the typical event that providers are booking out. Please note that typically, Dr. B books out for physicals 3-4mo. and Jen & Hayley at least 1mo. While these timeframes can vary in either direction, it is easiest to always have your next physical booked.
What is Involved in a Female Wellness Exam?
Female wellness exams include additional screening measures to ensure optimal health. At the appointment, a PAP smear will be performed if the patient is due for one (every 3rd year for 21-29yo, every 5th year for 30+yo). HPV testing will be sent out alongside this testing for those 30+. Additionally, starting at age 40 females are advised to receive preventative mammograms to screen for breast cancer every 2 years. For postmenopausal women, Bone Density scans are recommended every 10 years to screen for osteoporosis. These screening measures for female patients add an additional level of preventative care to the annual physical.