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That's my point. Annual doesn't include blood work. Just open your mouth, reflexes, questions, weight, height, etc. The kinds of things I know to check myself. My kids are more likely to tell me about any concerns than a medical professional, at least at this age. I can understand a teen maybe asking a doc some questions they wouldn't ask their parent but the internet is such a great source of medical info as well.
They go for regular eye exams, dental cleanings, etc and as I said if there was a complaint or illness I'd take them to the doc but so far they haven't vomited since they were infants, had any bad falls, any rashes, any long lasting fevers or anything else I couldn't handle here at home.
But I'm guessing younger and less experienced parents would automatically follow up with annual physicals if they are encouraged to do so and if their insurance pays for it.
there is no harm in taking kids for an annual well child exam. It is recommended by doctors and, especially if it is covered by insurance, I'm wondering why any parent, old, young, experienced, or not would choose to skip it.
I took our son in when he needed shots and the baby well checks. As he got older I didn't take him. He wasn't involved in sports so didn't need that physical.
I did have him go before starting college so that he could get a meningitis shot (I think that's the one) and at that time they did do a full blood work up.
Oh, my, most health insurance companies pay in full for well child annual visits so why wouldn't you take advantage of that? I sometimes schedule them when the kids actually are sick just so I can 'double dip'.
We always have questions of one kind or another. You might think your child is healthy, but they can catch things that aren't evident.
Believe me, insurance companies would NOT pay for that if they didn't think it was important!
That's my point. Annual doesn't include blood work. Just open your mouth, reflexes, questions, weight, height, etc. The kinds of things I know to check myself. My kids are more likely to tell me about any concerns than a medical professional, at least at this age. I can understand a teen maybe asking a doc some questions they wouldn't ask their parent but the internet is such a great source of medical info as well.
They go for regular eye exams, dental cleanings, etc and as I said if there was a complaint or illness I'd take them to the doc but so far they haven't vomited since they were infants, had any bad falls, any rashes, any long lasting fevers or anything else I couldn't handle here at home.
But I'm guessing younger and less experienced parents would automatically follow up with annual physicals if they are encouraged to do so and if their insurance pays for it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pitt Chick
I am neither young nor, I would guess, less experienced (than who? you?), yet saw the viability of wellness checks.
Insurance companies do also, which is why the provide that as a benefit.
Yeah, I'm not sure why the condescention was needed. Other parents made choices that were different, it doesn't make them "young and inexperienced".....Our insurance paid for annual physicals, it was a good opportunity for us to touch base with the medical community and ensure that we were informed and up to date. It also helped my kids feel comfortable with being examined so when they were teens they could speak freely with the doctor.
I think it's a good precedent to set for your child. Most insurance plans do cover blood work too. Women should have an annual physical anyway, and with a high incidence of heart disease globally annual monitoring is a good thing. We have a strong family history of heart disease with associated early death so my kids already have their cholesterol monitored annualy. My 12 year-old has already had a base-line appointment with a cardiologist for an ECG. Preventive health care is much easier than corrective, I want my children to have that mindset well established.
That's my point. Annual doesn't include blood work. Just open your mouth, reflexes, questions, weight, height, etc. The kinds of things I know to check myself. My kids are more likely to tell me about any concerns than a medical professional, at least at this age. I can understand a teen maybe asking a doc some questions they wouldn't ask their parent but the internet is such a great source of medical info as well.
They go for regular eye exams, dental cleanings, etc and as I said if there was a complaint or illness I'd take them to the doc but so far they haven't vomited since they were infants, had any bad falls, any rashes, any long lasting fevers or anything else I couldn't handle here at home.
But I'm guessing younger and less experienced parents would automatically follow up with annual physicals if they are encouraged to do so and if their insurance pays for it.
Not always true. Both of my daughters have had routine blood work done at their physicals. Not every year, but twice that I can remember. They also get their eyes and hearing tested.
We should all know the importance of getting annuals when we are older, so why not teach our children that from the get go. My husband died of a heart attack due to hypertension. If he would have went to annual check-ups, instead of just when he was sick (which was never) he would have caught it a lot sooner. He had a family history of high BP but assumed that was for when he was older, not 36.
You can bet your a@@ that I am showing my kids the importance of taking a proactive approach with healthcare, rather than a reactive.
I have been getting an annual physical since I can remember.
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there is no harm in taking kids for an annual well child exam. It is recommended by doctors and, especially if it is covered by insurance, I'm wondering why any parent, old, young, experienced, or not would choose to skip it.
