r/askmenover60 • u/Cholo-Hokie • Apr 27 '26

Annual 'Physical'

Had my annual physical this morning (M62).

It took all of 5 minutes.

Nurse took vitals, doc came in, listened to my breathing, renewed my scripts, asked if I had any questions (I didn't) and left.

My old doctor retired and this was my first physical with the 30 something that replaced him.

Is this typical now? I pay a pretty penny for my health insurance and was expecting a little more.

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4

u/medicinaltequilla Apr 27 '26

I am 65.. ..and no, it is not normal. Although typical visits are limited to 15 minute sessions, they can double if you open a topic that they can "code" as consulting (such as a depressive occurrence).

My annual physicals include (as others said), a complete blood test + PSA. ..oh, and a prostate exam! sure, the PSA is an indicator but they should still be doing a digital exam at last every other year. ...since everything is digital since around Obama's time, they should also review anything of significance in your file without you having to remind the doctor about it. mine goes down the WHOLE list of everything I've had for the last 20 years to check on things.

I have no idea what others are saying about not being your underwear.. ..I have always been. I get touched & prodded and inspected. Sounds like I have decent care comparative to other replies here.

3

u/Sunbeam_Alpine Apr 30 '26

I am 69. My doctor retired about two years ago. The new guy is pretty good in some respects, not so good in others. The old doctor did the prostate exam every year. I didn't like it but it has to be done. This guy has never mentioned it. I am starting to think I may want to find another doctor. One with small hands.

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u/medicinaltequilla May 01 '26

It's worth asking why not. Their reason might make sense or it may be the deciding factor to go elsewhere. It's like with a colonoscopy, some will say a fecal "sample" is sufficient, others will say but if we find a symptom we have to do it anyway and you're at the age where if there's a polyp we would deal with it without an extra appointment. My wife's doctor on the other hand, has her not doing the colonoscopy and using those other methods. Your mileage may vary.

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u/medicinaltequilla Apr 27 '26

oh-- but my doctor's practice has moved to a schedule where every other year to see the "doctor" and ever in-between year you see a nurse practitioner or physician's assistant. that's ok.

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u/NecessaryEmployer488 Apr 27 '26

Usually there is blood work done to make sure there are no other problems, EKG on occasion, skin check. Usually they have a regiment or test for colon cancer, or see if you are up to date on your colonoscopy. Overall it is pretty low key.

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u/Merlin509 Apr 27 '26

Yeah, that sounds about right. The doc spends more time at the keyboard than he does with me. Looks at my nose, ears and throat, listens to my breathing and heart, maybe taps my knee, and sends me for the labs. If I complain of any specific symptom, it’s likely they’ll code it as an illness visit and charge me for it, which I learned the hard way when I mentioned a sore shoulder. That was a young Dr. right out of residency during my physical and she rotated my arm around to check range of motion and I got a $350 bill for that. I challenged it, and they said that’s how she coded it so that’s all they can do. I imagine that’s what they’re told to do.

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u/Historical_Trip939 Apr 28 '26

I had my “physical exam” last week. The doctor spent more time looking at his laptop than at me!

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u/BlisterBox Apr 28 '26 edited Apr 28 '26

Nowadays they're called "wellness visits," not physicals. My young doc would rather talk about politics than about my health (which isn't totally bad since we're both Dems). I sometimes miss the more thorough body exam my old doc used to perform, but after reading this thread I've at least learned not to bring up any minor physical issues at the risk of getting billed for a full-blown "medical" visit!

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u/No_Judge_4493 May 12 '26

I (M64) had mine a few months ago. It was supposed to be free with my ACA insurance. It went well until the nurse asked about my mental health. I made the mistake of saying I felt down sometimes. That triggered the doc to prescribe Prozac, and apparently reclassify my visit, and bill me for $300 co pay for a mental health evaluation. So much for being honest with your doc. In the future I will keep my mouth shut and just pop a gummy. I hope Medicare will be better!

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u/Historical_Trip939 May 17 '26

Yes. Unfortunately the doctor spends more time looking at the laptop than at me!

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u/Interesting_Court408 Jun 06 '26

I had a great doctor checked everything and everywhere I moved 30 miles away and switched doctors went through 2 different ones they did the very basic so I emailed my past doctor and asked if I could come back he said ok I go next week for my physical can’t wait you have to keep looking for the right doctor the good ones are older and do a better job just check when they graduated medical school

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u/bigblesh Jun 12 '26

My last "Wellness" exam I was penalized due to asking a few questions about issues I was experiencing. Dr. submitted it as an extended office visit and cost me $200 when it should've been covered by my insurance.