Living Healthy 3 Why are checkups important? Checkups are a key part of keeping you and your family healthy. At a checkup, your doctor will check your health, which can help find any problems early so you can get the right care before things get worse. For Alliance members, checkups are available at no cost! What happens at a checkup? The doctor will ask you about your health and your family’s health. You can also ask the doctor any questions you have. They will do some tests based on your age and provide any vaccines you may be due for. They will look at any medicines you take. If you need to see other doctors, they can help with that too. How do I prepare for a checkup? Before you go to the doctor, make a list of all the medicines you take. Tell the doctor if anyone in your family has been sick or has a condition like diabetes or heart disease. If you have any questions for the doctor, write them down so you don’t forget. How often should I get a checkup? It depends on how old you are. Babies need to see the doctor a lot in their first years. They go three to five days after they’re born and then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24 and 30 months old. It might seem like a lot, but our bodies change as we grow, so it’s important. For grown-ups and kids over 3 years old, once a year is good. What rewards do Alliance members get for checkups? Alliance members can earn gift cards for going to checkups, managing health conditions and making healthy choices. You can learn more at www.thealliance.health/ health-rewards. Checkups and staying up to date with immunizations are a simple way to take charge of your health! Ask the doctor Dr. Dianna Myers is a Medical Director at Central California Alliance for Health. She practiced pediatrics in Monterey County for 12 years and has almost 20 years of experience in the medical field. Are you up to date with checkups?
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