Annual Physical Exams in Miami Lakes

What happens at an annual physical

Your history. What has changed since last year, every medicine and supplement you take, and what runs in your family. This is the part that decides which tests are worth doing.

An exam. Your blood pressure, weight and heart rate, and an exam guided by your history and anything that’s bothering you.

Screenings. Your provider checks which screenings you’re due for, based on your age and risk, and which you can skip. Some happen at the visit, like blood pressure; others are ordered, like a mammogram or a colon cancer screening.

Vaccines. A check of which vaccines you’re due for this year.

Blood work, if it’s needed. Blood is drawn in the office, often at the same visit; see blood work and lab tests for which tests need fasting.

A plan. What was found, what’s being watched, and when you should come back.

What’s checked at your age

The screening ages below follow the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; the vaccines follow the CDC’s adult schedule as of October 2026 (CDC). They’re the starting point for adults at average risk. Your provider adjusts them for your history, and some apply only to women, men or people who smoke.

Age	Screenings usually due	Vaccines
18 to 39	Blood pressure (every 3 to 5 years if normal, yearly if you’re at higher risk); hepatitis C and HIV screening; Pap test from 21; depression screening	Flu every year; Tdap once, then Td or Tdap every 10 years
40 to 49	Blood pressure every year; mammogram every 2 years for women; diabetes screening from 35 if you’re overweight; colorectal cancer screening from 45	Flu every year; tetanus booster every 10 years
50 to 64	Colorectal cancer screening; lung cancer screening if you have a 20 pack-year smoking history and still smoke or quit within the past 15 years	Flu every year; shingles (2 doses, from 50); pneumococcal (from 50)
65 and older	Bone density for women; a one-time ultrasound for men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked; colorectal screening through 75	Flu every year (a high-dose, recombinant or adjuvanted flu vaccine is preferred at 65+); shingles; pneumococcal

The full screening list, with how often each one is repeated, is on our primary care page. Pap smears and well-woman care are covered on the women’s health page.

Vaccines: what adults need

The CDC’s adult schedule calls for a flu vaccine every year. Adults who didn’t get Tdap at age 10 or later need one dose, then a Td or Tdap booster every 10 years. The shingles vaccine is two doses, two to six months apart, for adults 50 and older, with no upper age limit (CDC). A pneumococcal (pneumonia) vaccine is recommended for all adults 50 and older (CDC). Schedules can change, so your provider checks the current one and tells you which vaccines you’re due for at your physical.

What insurance usually covers

Most health plans must cover recommended preventive services, such as blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes screening, without a copay or coinsurance when you see an in-network provider, even before you’ve met your deductible (HealthCare.gov). Two things can still show up on a bill. Your plan may charge for the office visit itself, though you won’t pay extra for the preventive service that’s part of it (HealthCare.gov). And if you get additional services at the same visit, those may be billed (CMS). If you’re not sure, ask the office or your plan before the visit; the insurance page explains how to check.

Medicare: Wellness visit or physical?

If you have Medicare, the visit you want is usually the yearly “Wellness” visit: a conversation with your provider to build or update a prevention plan based on your health and risk factors. It isn’t a routine physical exam, it’s covered once every 12 months, and you pay nothing for it if your provider accepts assignment (Medicare.gov). Original Medicare doesn’t cover routine physical exams (Medicare.gov), so say which visit you want when you call. Our Medicare guide explains the rest.

Getting ready

Bring a photo ID, your insurance card and a list of every medicine and supplement you take. If you’re told to fast, that means nothing to eat or drink but plain water, usually for 8 to 12 hours (MedlinePlus), so book a morning slot. Physicals are done at both the Miami Lakes and Kendall offices, by one of the practice’s five providers. New to the practice? The new patient guide covers the rest, and the insurance page lists the plan types the practice accepts. For a quick list of what’s due at your age, see our annual physical exam checklist by age.