Is a virtual annual checkup right for you?

You may already know that virtual visits are helpful for many health concerns, from cough and flu symptoms to managing a chronic condition like diabetes. But they are also convenient for preventive care appointments, like your annual checkup. That’s the yearly visit where you and your doctor talk about your health concerns, goals, lifestyle habits, and more.

In many ways, a virtual visit for preventive care can be just as effective as an in-person visit, according to David S. Kim, M.D., CEO of MemorialCare Medical Foundation in Fountain Valley, California. Here are a few reasons scheduling a virtual annual virtual checkup may be right for you.

You can see a doctor from anywhere

From the comfort of your home to your car – you can have a virtual visit from anywhere. But there are other advantages, like:

• You may be able to schedule a visit sooner, even on the same day if you need it.
• You may have more choice to see a doctor from a wider network of virtual providers, depending on your health plan. This is helpful if you live in an area where there are only a few doctors.
• You’ll avoid germs if you’re worried about getting sick at the doctor’s office.

You don’t need to travel to your appointment

With a virtual visit, you won’t need to drive or find transportation to your doctor’s office. You won’t have to find parking, either. This can make a difference for people who are short on time during the week or don’t have childcare for their kids. It’s also a convenient option for people who live far away from their doctor or with mobility issues.

You can have more in-depth conversations with your doctor

Talking to your doctor is an important part of your annual checkup. During this appointment, you’ll talk about your medical history and discuss your health goals. “If doctors ask the right questions and take a good medical history, 80% of the time they’ll have a very good idea of what’s going on with a patient,” says Dr. Kim.

People may also be more open about their health concerns in a virtual setting, Dr. Kim explains. “They might feel less intimidated and more comfortable than they would in a traditional doctor's office, which can lead to a more honest and thorough discussion of their symptoms and concerns,” he says.

It helps to be prepared for questions your doctor may ask during a virtual annual checkup, such as:

• Open-ended questions, like “How are you feeling?” This is your chance to talk about health concerns or ask questions.
• Questions about your lifestyle and habits, like if you exercise or how much alcohol you drink.
• Questions about your family history, like if your mom had high blood pressure or if your grandfather had a heart condition, to help them keep an eye out for future health concerns.

Before your appointment, write down what you want to talk about, too. Be sure to mention any new symptoms or updates from your life that may affect your health, like getting a new job. You might also review the medications you take, including any supplements. You can have all your medications next to you, instead of writing a list or bringing all of them into your doctor’s office, like you might for an in-person visit.

Your doctor may be able to check your vitals virtually

Virtual doctors may allow patients to take their own vitals, like blood pressure and weight. To do this, some health plans will send you a kit with health tools to use just like a doctor would during an in-person checkup.

You can build a relationship with your primary care provider

When people see their primary doctor, also known as a primary care provider or PCP, regularly, they may spend less time in the hospital and take fewer trips to the emergency department, according to research. Discussing your health needs with your primary doctor at your annual checkup can help make that relationship stronger. You can also continue to connect with them virtually throughout the year when you have a health concern.

To schedule your annual checkup, log in to your member account or call your doctor’s office to see which types of appointments they offer and what they recommend. Looking for a primary care provider that offers virtual visits? Use our Find a doctor tool.

_{^{Blue Shield of California does not provide medical or dental advice. This information is for informational purposes only.}}