How often should seniors get a checkup? A guide to staying proactive with your health

Key takeaways

• Annual visits: Most health organizations and experts recommend that seniors have a medical checkup at least once every year.
• Health status matters: If you manage chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease, you may need to see your healthcare provider more frequently.
• Preventive focus: Regular visits allow for early detection of issues, medication reviews and the creation of personalized care plans.
• The Conviva® difference: Moving beyond the "rushed visit," senior-focused care prioritizes longer appointments to make sure no concern goes unheard.

General guidelines: Finding the right frequency for your health

Checkups should be a regular part of your health routine, but it can be confusing to know how often you should go. We all know to visit our healthcare provider when a new symptom or illness arises, but for general wellness visits, that can be harder to determine. 

While there is no “hard and fast rule,” at least 1 medical checkup per year is the gold standard for older adults. However, depending on the status of your health, you may need to see your healthcare provider more often than others. If you’re 65–70 years old, and in excellent health, some healthcare providers suggest every 1–3 years, though annual visits are safer for early detection. 

If you’re in your 70s and 80s+, and health needs become more complex, annual visits become essential to monitor daily functioning and quality of life. For those managing hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or arthritis, visits may occur quarterly or as recommended by a physician to keep conditions stable.

Understanding your visit: Annual physical exam vs. Medicare annual wellness visit

If you’re covered by Medicare, there are 2 different types of visits: the annual physical exam and the Medicare annual wellness visit. 

During your annual physical exam, your healthcare provider will check you head-to-toe. During the exam, your healthcare provider will:

• Take your vital signs, such as your blood pressure, heart rate, temperature and weight.
• Inspect your ears and eyes to check for infections or other conditions.
• Check your abdomen for any tenderness or enlarged organs, as well as to monitor the size of your liver and spleen. Your doctor may also feel your lymph nodes under the arms or near the collarbone.

Your healthcare provider may also talk to you about any symptoms or side effects you've been experiencing and discuss any health concerns that you have. Other tests may be done as well, depending on your age and medical history. For example, women over the age of 50 will want to discuss breast exams and start scheduling mammograms based on their physician's recommendation. 

Your healthcare provider will also evaluate your risk for certain chronic conditions, such as heart disease or diabetes, and make recommendations on how to manage these conditions if necessary.

Now, the Medicare annual wellness visit is a conversation-based visit specifically designed to develop or update a personalized prevention plan. This visit will include a health risk assessment, which will give your healthcare provider an overall view of your health status. Using your risk assessment, your healthcare provider will:¹

• Look over your prescription drugs and any over-the-counter supplements you’re taking
• Suggest cancer screenings and vaccines to schedule
• Review your family and medical history
• Test your cognitive skills like learning or thinking
• Ask about your alcohol, drug and tobacco usage
• Discuss how easy or hard it is to do daily activities
• Confirm your exercise and eating habits

Most Medicare plans cover 1 wellness visit or physical per year, often at no cost to the patient if they have been enrolled in Part B for over 12 months.

When to see a healthcare provider sooner: Recognizing warning signs

Although you may see your healthcare provider once a year for your annual checkup, you may need to see your provider sooner rather than wait for your next checkup appointment. You should make an appointment with your healthcare provider if you’re:

• Experiencing changes in mobility, like a fall or feel unsteady on your feet
• Noticing persistent memory loss, confusion, or feelings of depression
• Having new symptoms like unexpected weight loss, fatigue or changes in sleep and bowel habits
• Having side effects with a new medication or it’s interacting poorly with your current prescriptions

Frequently asked questions

• Why do I need a checkup if I feel fine? 
  • Checkups can help your healthcare provider identify diseases before they become serious, improving outcomes and potentially lowering long-term costs.
• What should I bring to my appointment?
  • A list of all current medications and supplements, a record of past health concerns and a list of questions you want to discuss with your healthcare provider.
• How long should a typical senior checkup last?
  • While many traditional visits are rushed, senior-focused care models prioritize longer visits to ensure a comprehensive review.

How Conviva Supports Your Health Journey

Conviva makes healthcare easier for seniors by giving you more time with your healthcare provider. Instead of feeling rushed, you get extra one-on-one time to talk about your health. Conviva also uses a team of helpers, like care coaches and referral specialists, so your care feels organized. 

If you have a long-term illness, like diabetes or heart disease, Conviva doctors work with you to make a plan that helps you stay healthy and independent. You can get same-day appointments, and you can reach a provider any time, day or night, if you have a question or worry. 

To get started, you can find a Conviva center near you or schedule a visit to see how Conviva can help you stay healthy. For more information, please visit Conviva Care Centers.

Source:

“Your age-by-age guide to annual physical exams,” Optum, last accessed March 26, 2026.