One of the best ways to prioritize one’s vitality is with an annual health exam. That’s especially true for older adults, who tend to have more health issues to manage, according to Dr. Grant Tarbox, national medical executive with Cigna Healthcare’s Medicare business.

Annual exams can vary and go by different names, depending on one’s coverage. Generally, they are offered at no cost to patients through Medicare or Medicare Advantage (MA) and there are a host of reasons to get one, Tarbox said, including the following:

Having a health care team leader. It’s important to have a trusted advisor leading one’s health care team. That is the purpose of a primary care physician (PCP). A PCP knows one’s family and treatment histories and concerns. They play an important role keeping a broad view of all one’s care needs and can help one navigate them. By visiting one’s PCP at least annually, one maintains a critical relationship that will serve one well when one needs it.

Putting a plan together. One’s annual exam is the time to discuss which health screenings and immunizations could be important based on one’s age, gender, and medical and family history. These include such things as a flu shot, a mammogram, or a colorectal screening. Talk to one’s doctor about what preventive care activities are right and put together a plan to get them. Most are covered at no extra cost through Medicare or MA.

Addressing conditions before they worsen. Aging increases the risk of certain chronic illnesses such as hypertension, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. Ignoring these conditions won’t make them go away. Always tell one’s health care provider about any recent changes one is experiencing. Working with one’s provider to proactively manage a chronic condition before it worsens helps to maintain one’s independence and vitality.

Reviewing medications. If one takes one or more medications, an annual exam is a good time to review them with one’s  PCP. One may even want to take one’s prescriptions to the appointment. Are these medications effective? Is one taking them as prescribed? Are there any undesirable side effects? Are there potential harmful interactions, including with over-the-counter drugs? One also can secure one’s refills and maybe even shift to home delivery for convenience or to save money.

Making lifestyle adjustments. Even small changes can help one live longer and better. Talk honestly with one’s health care provider about one’s lifestyle. They may recommend changes, such as exercising, stopping smoking, or eating healthy.

Checking on your mental health. One’s emotional health impacts one’s physical health. Depression doesn’t have to be a part of aging. Let one’s health care provider know if one is feeling sad, anxious or hopeless. They may recommend increasing one’s social interaction. Additionally, treatments, such as talk therapy, medication or both, may be covered by Medicare or MA.

For more tips on how to make the most of one’s annual exam, visit https://www.cigna.com/medicare/member-resources/#media-resources.

If those aren’t compelling enough reasons to get an annual health exam, then consider the fact that some Medicare Advantage plans will even pay one an incentive to ensure that one gets one, said Tarbox. He added that one may also want to see one’s dentist and eye doctor annually to ensure whole body health. Those visits are among the extra benefits often covered by an MA plan, he said.