28 Jun What is a well-woman visit?

Posted at 17:13h in Women's Health by
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Let’s talk about women’s health and the importance of an annual visit with your doctor or nurse every year. A well-woman’s visit is an important way to help you stay healthy and prevent health conditions or diseases.  

A well-woman visit includes a full checkup, separate from any other visit for sickness or injury. These visits are covered at 100% through the III-A and focus on preventive care for women, which may include: 

  • Services, like vaccines, that improve your health by preventing diseases and other health problems 
  • Screening tests, which are medical tests to check for diseases early when they may be easier to treat 
  • Education and counseling to help you make informed health decisions 

 

Your well-woman visit is a chance to focus on your overall health and wellness. There are 3 main goals for the visit: 

  1. Documenting your health habits and history, and if there has been any changes or new conditions 
  2. Getting a physical exam 
  3. Setting health goals 

 

Things that may be discussed during your visit are: 

  • Medical history and family health history 
  • Mental health history, including depression 
  • Sexual activity and sexual partners 
  • Eating and physical activity habits 
  • Use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs 
  • Use of any medicines, vitamins, minerals, or herbs 
  • Home life and relationships 
  • Physical exam 
  • Breast exam 
  • Pelvic exam 
  • Wellness labs/bloodwork 

Be sure to talk to your doctor or nurse about your health and wellness goals, and you and your doctor or nurse can make a plan to help you meet these goals. Together, you can decide which screenings or follow-up services are right for you.  Here is a list of preventative services that your doctor might recommend: 

General Health and Prevention Screenings: (recommended annually for adults unless noted) 

  • Mental Health/Depression/Anxiety Screening 
  • Blood Pressure Screening 
  • Lipid screening (Cholesterol) 
  • Diabetes screening (A1C) 
  • Complete Blood Count 
  • Osteoporosis screening (age 50 and older) 

Cancer Screenings: 

  • Breast Cancer: Mammograms may start as early as age 35-40; recommended annually) 
  • Cervical Cancer:  For age 21-65; HPV screening every 5 years, PAP screening every 3 years 
  • Colorectal Cancer: Colonoscopies typically start at age 50; frequency depends on risks/past tests (typically every 5-10 years). Cologuard screening (take-home test) is recommended every 3 years for age 40 and older *but III-A covers at 100% at any age/frequency 
  • Lung Cancer: Annual screening for those 50 an older who currently smoke or have quit within the past 15 years. 
  • Skin Cancer: Annual screening for all adults, or more often if you are at a higher risk. 

Infectious Disease: 

  • Immunizations: influenza vaccine annually, Pneumonia vaccine once after age 65, others as recommended/needed 
  • STI prevention/STD testing 
  • Hepatitis 
  • Tuberculosis screening 

There are additional screenings and recommendations for anyone pregnant or post-partum; be sure to work with your OB-GYN closely during these times. 

For a full list of age-related preventative guidelines, visit:
https://www.womenspreventivehealth.org/wellwomanchart/ 

***Please refer to your III-A Benefits Book for a list of all covered Preventative Care Benefits*** 

III-A Nurse Practitioner, Velma Seabolt, has worked in Women’s Health for over 30 years!  If you have any questions regarding your health or preventative screenings, give her a call on the III-A Telehealth Line.