Spring Fever-Time for Your Annual Wellness Exam

Feeling a little spring fever is a sign of good health. In fact, that itch to get out and enjoy the first sunny days of the season means it’s a great time to schedule annual adult and child wellness exams.  Visits with patients, while they’re healthy, is the best way for primary care doctors and nurse practitioners to evaluate patient wellness, according to the Coast Community Health Center health team. Annual exams include a variety of age-appropriate checks and screens and allow primary care providers to offer preventative tips and tools to keep patients healthy and active.

Health center staff encourage community members not to postpone wellness exams because of possible changes to federal health care funding. Benefits for 2017 health insurance policies have not changed. And, sliding scale payment is still an option at Federally Qualified Health Centers such as Coast Community Health Center.

“Here at Coast Community Health, we offer our patients a Sliding Fee Discount Program whether they have insurance or not. It’s all based on income. Even though we are not a free clinic, we are here for our community and willing to make payment arrangements,” said the health center’s clinical site manager Lynette Molini.

Primary care doctors, pediatricians, and nurse practitioners like to visit with their patients, when they’re healthy, at least once a year.  Since younger patients rapidly grow and change, wellness visits are especially important for children and teenagers. Seasonal sports physicals are not a substitute for annual wellness visits. Annual exams at Coast Community Health Center include detailed personal and family medical histories and screens, explained Molini.

Providers often talk with parents about their children’s sleep and nutrition, safety in the home or during physical activity, common childhood illness, and what to expect through different stages of growth. Health staff can also help families stay up to date with recommended vaccinations for children and adolescents.

Coast Community Health Center has partnered with neighborhood businesses to offer an extra reward for wellness visits. Teens and children who complete wellness exams are eligible for a monthly drawing for gift certificates redeemable at businesses throughout Coos and Curry counties.  Enthusiasm for your wellness can be shared on social media with #FitNStrong.  For information about appointments, or new patient registration, call the health center at 541-347-2529, or visit coastcommunityhealth.org.