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Preventive and Routine Care

How we help keep you healthy

Your primary care team helps you stay healthy by giving you "preventive care." This includes tests, immunizations (like the flu shot) and many kinds of health screenings.

Preventive care lets us find and treat any medical conditions early. There are different tests for your age, sex, family history and risk factors.

Please ask your care team if you have any questions. Tests and intervals may change based on new research and technology advances.

  • Annual Well Visits

    Do you need a check-up every year?

    While most health insurance will pay for an annual physical, it really depends on your age, risk factors and specific health needs. Here are the standards for who should come in and how frequently:

    • Children 0-12 years

      There is a specific schedule of when young children should come in for immunizations, blood tests and “well-child” checks. You will find the schedule here.

    • 12-22 years

      Patients 12-22 should come in at least once a year to make sure they have any necessary blood tests, immunizations and a “well-child” check.

    • 22 years and older

      New patients should have a welcome visit to "establish care" with your team. This lets us create a plan of care for you and set up a visit schedule based on your needs.

      Current patients should already have a plan of care. But even healthy patients should come in at least once every two years.

  • Breast Cancer Screenings

    Screening Mammography

    These tests are recommended once every 2 years for women, nonbinary people with female parts and trans men who are 50-75 years old. Testing is done at CHA Radiology.

    Note, if you are at high risk for Breast Cancer, such as having a family history, please ask your doctor about when you should be screened. 

  • Cervical Cancer Screening

    The Pap smear is the standard screening test.

    Recommended for women, nonbinary people and trans men with female parts.

    • Once every 3 years between ages 21-65.
    • Once every 5 years between ages 30-64, if you also have HPV testing.

    Tests can be done at your CHA primary care center or OBGYN office.

  • Colorectal Cancer Screenings

    All adults 50-75 years of age should get one of the following screenings:

    • Colonoscopy - once every 10 years, or
    • Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - once every 5 years, or
    • Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) – once a year

    Get your colon cancer screening with the CHA Division of Gastroenterology.

  • Diabetes Wellness Tests

    If you have diabetes, you need several tests to monitor your health:

    • Hemoglobin A1c test – at least twice yearly at your primary care center
    • Blood pressure screening – every year at your primary care center
    • Diabetic eye exam - every year at the CHA Eye Center
    • Cholesterol testing – at least once a year
    • Diabetic foot exam – once a year at your primary care center or with a CHA podiatrist (foot doctor)
  • High Blood Pressure Checks

    For people with high blood pressure

    Get tested at your primary care center (ask your doctor or PCP how frequently you should be seen).

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