Preventive care, annual physicals: What’s the big deal?

There’s a lot of talk lately about the importance of preventive care and getting your annual physical. For starters, preventive care and annual physicals play an important role in your overall health and wellness and provides you with the first line of defense against any unforeseen medical issues. Plus, preventive care is FREE under all Purdue medical plans. This includes your annual physical and other preventive screenings – such as blood pressure, type 2 diabetes screening, cholesterol and lipid level, mammogram – as well as an annual flu vaccine. For more information on preventive care, Anthem provides a list that outlines preventive care services.

Yearly physical examinations can be performed at the Center for Healthy Living on Purdue’s West Lafayette campus and include well-woman, well-man and well-child checks. Both physicians and nurse practitioners can perform annual physicals and record biometrics. Employees are also able to have their physicals and biometrics completed with their community provider should they choose. Those who have yet to establish with a primary care provider are welcome to do so with a physician or nurse practitioner at the Center for Healthy Living.  Keep in mind, completing an annual physical with biometrics screening is part of the 2019 Healthy Boiler Wellness Program, and you can earn $325 simply for doing so.

And there’s an important reason that the university is offering you the opportunity to get paid for taking part in these important preventive measures.  

 “It’s such a proactive move for individuals to take the time to have their yearly physicals and other preventive exams performed,” said Ronald Shelton, MD, medical director at the Center for Healthy Living. “Preventive services, such as physicals and biometrics, give patients and physicians alike the information needed to make the best plan of action when it comes to short- and long-term health and wellness. Early detection, if applicable, as well as identifying those who are at high risk for a disease, allows time to implement the needed lifestyle changes, preventive steps and / or treatment that is needed to provide the healthiest life possible.”  

The bottom line is that getting and staying healthy is the best way to get in front of diseases that could become chronic.

According to Candace Shaffer, director of benefits in Human Resources, the goal is for all employees to get their annual physicals, either at the center or at their community provider’s office.

“Annual physicals are the best way for employees to know where they stand in regards to their overall health and wellness,” Shaffer said. “We want our employees to seek out preventive care and get their annual physicals in order to be the happiest and healthiest versions of themselves possible. The on-site center in West Lafayette provides convenience and great services, but we also understand that some employees have longstanding relationships with their outside providers. Many local in-network physicians are also available to support the health of our employees. Our goal is making sure employees are utilizing preventive care services wherever it makes the most sense for them. And with the Healthy Boiler Wellness Program incentives up for grabs again for 2019, it gives an added bonus to having a physical and biometrics screening performed.”

The center offers many no-cost wellness options  to compliment primary care services – regardless of where that care is provided. The center works collaboratively with outside providers to ensure the best care possible for their patients. Telephonic wellness programs also are available to employees at the regional campuses as well as extension employees. To learn more, call the center at 765-494-0111.

Any questions can be directed to Human Resources at 765-494-2222, toll free at 877-725-0222 or via email at hr@purdue.edu.