Questions to ask your doctor at an annual physical
The short answer: ask whether you need a yearly physical, which screenings and vaccines are right for you and when, whether your medicines still make sense together, what your insurance covers, and which healthy habit matters most for you. Bring a list of your medicines and your family health history so the answers fit you.
Why come with questions
A checkup is a chance to catch problems early and plan ahead. MedlinePlus says to see your provider regularly even when you feel healthy, to screen for problems, assess future risk, update vaccines and get to know your provider. It also notes that high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol may cause no symptoms early on, and simple tests can check for them.2 A short list of questions helps you use that time well.
Before you go: what to bring
- Your medical records, including immunization records, if you have them.3
- Your family health history.3
- A list of your prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins and supplements, how often you take each one, and why.3
- Your own questions, with the most important first. Our guide to taking notes at an appointment shows one simple way to set that up.
Questions to ask
1. Do I need a physical every year?
The American Academy of Family Physicians lists this as a question to ask your doctor, along with "What types of preventive care does my insurance cover?"1 How often you should come in can depend on your age, health and risks, so let your own doctor decide with you.
2. Which screenings should I have, and when should I start?
Screening means checking for a condition before you have symptoms. Ask when you should start screening for certain cancers and conditions.1 Start ages vary. For example, one family medicine source says colorectal (colon and rectum) screening should start at age 50, though your own health, your family's health or other risks could mean starting sooner, as young as 45.1 MedlinePlus lists colorectal screening for ages 45 to 75.2 That mismatch is exactly why to ask: your doctor can tell you what applies to you. Mention any family history of cancer or other conditions.
3. Are my vaccines up to date?
Ask which vaccines you need. Family Doctor says to get a flu shot every year, and that adults need a Td booster every 10 years, which your doctor may swap for Tdap, a version that also protects against whooping cough.1 MedlinePlus adds that you should ask about other immunizations, especially if you have a condition such as diabetes or are at higher risk for diseases such as pneumonia.2 Your immunization records help here.
4. Do my numbers look okay, and what do they mean?
MedlinePlus says blood pressure should be checked at least once a year, and that your height, weight and body mass index (BMI) should be checked at every exam. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems or other conditions, ask whether you need more frequent blood pressure checks.2 If you get test results, ask what each one means and what happens next.
5. Do my medicines, vitamins and supplements still make sense together?
Your medicines and how they interact are a standard topic for a checkup.2 Hand over your list and ask whether anything should be reviewed. Don't stop or change a prescribed medicine on your own; ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
6. What should I know about my mood, habits and safety?
MedlinePlus lists several topics worth raising: depression and anxiety, diet and exercise, alcohol, tobacco and drug use, and safety, such as seat belts and smoke detectors.2 You don't have to wait to be asked. Family Doctor suggests two practical questions: how many calories you should eat and how often you should exercise to maintain your weight, and which healthy choice is most important for you.1
7. What will this cost me?
Ask how much a test or service will cost. Medicare's guidance notes that a doctor may recommend services that Medicare doesn't cover or covers less often, which could mean extra costs. Find out the reason for each one and how much of it Medicare pays for.3 If you're not on Medicare, ask your insurance plan the same questions.
Before you leave
Repeat back what you heard, and ask what you need to do next and who will contact you with results. Our guide on what to do after a doctor's appointment covers the follow-up.
Common questions
Do I need a yearly physical if I feel fine?
That's a good question to ask your own doctor.1 MedlinePlus says to see your provider regularly even when you feel healthy, because problems like high blood pressure, high blood sugar and high cholesterol may cause no symptoms early on.2
What should I bring to a physical?
Bring your immunization records if you have them, your family health history, and a list of every medicine, vitamin and supplement you take, how often you take each one and why.3
Will insurance pay for my physical?
It depends on your plan. Ask the office what a test or service will cost before you agree to it. Medicare, for example, may not cover some services that doctors recommend, or may cover them less often.3
Sources
- Family Doctor (American Academy of Family Physicians). What you can do to maintain your health. Updated November 2025.
- MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Health screenings for men ages 40 to 64. Reviewed June 24, 2025. The page is written for men, but the checkup topics apply more broadly.
- Medicare.gov. “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit. Accessed October 2026.
This guide is general information and isn't medical or legal advice. Always follow the advice of your own doctor or care team. If you think you're having a medical emergency, call 911.