Maximizing your doctor’s visit, especially during a general check-up or a health evaluation such as your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, starts with asking the right questions.
One efficient way to do that is to know beforehand exactly what to ask an internal medicine doctor or primary care physician.
Read more: The meaning of Value-based Care
Why asking the right questions matters
Around 2 in every 5 senior adults leave their doctor’s appointment feeling unheard. Their concerns remain unaddressed, or symptoms are overlooked, often because the doctor is in a hurry to complete the appointment, or sometimes because the patient gets sidetracked with talking about another problem.
This is a problem that can be easily avoided if patients come prepared with a checklist of key questions.
Whether it’s your first appointment with an internist or a routine check-up, having an internist visit checklist of key questions helps you:
- ✅ Stay informed about your health status
- ✅ Understand treatment options and medication side effects
- ✅ Prevent complications from existing conditions
- ✅ Optimize Medicare benefits for necessary tests and therapies
Read more: How to find a good doctor you can trust in Texas
The most important questions to ask your care provider
Here are 4 important questions you should ask your internal medicine doctor to keep your health on track.
Question 1: I’m [your age] years old. Based on my age and the state of my health, what preventative screenings or tests should I get?
Preventative screenings may help catch potential chronic diseases early enough for your doctor to figure out care plans to treat or manage them effectively.
All senior adults aged 65 years and older with Medicare Part B, or a Medicare Advantage plan are entitled to free annual screenings for several health conditions. Every patient should avail this benefit, especially for:
- Diabetes
- Chronic heart failure (CHF) and other cardiovascular issues
- Cancer
- Bone density to check for osteoporosis
- Depression and other mental health concerns
- Glaucoma and other eye problems
Pro tip: Always ask if there is a new test or screening recommended for your age group since your last visit. Medicare often modifies the benefits patients receive from year to year, so a new screening might have been added since the last time you got checked.
Follow-up questions: How should I prepare for the screening or test? Should I eat or not? Take my meds or not? What else should I keep in mind?
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Question 2: What non-medication methods are there to manage my chronic conditions?
According to research, 9 out of 10 senior adults have at least one chronic condition, while nearly 3 out of 4 have two or more comorbidities or multi-morbidities.
The most frequent combinations of chronic conditions include hypertension, high cholesterol, arthritis, and the root of most problems — obesity.
Treatment plans for chronic conditions often include prescription medications. With multiple illnesses requiring different kinds of medication, there is a risk of drugs reacting negatively with each other.
Ask your doctor if there’s a way to cut down dependence on drugs and treat chronic conditions with a combination of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle changes.
Sometimes, a little knowledge and adjustment can make a huge difference. For example, did you know that losing as little as 10% of excess weight can have a significant impact on bringing blood sugar under control?
Pro tip: Maintain a list of your chronic conditions and the medications you take for each, as well as any vitamin or herbal supplements, and over-the-counter meds. Bring this list to every doctor’s appointment in case your internist decides to add or subtract a medication. Having all your meds listed in one place makes it easier to cross-check for potential negative interactions.
Follow-up questions: Have any new medications or therapies become available since my last visit? Can we go through my list of meds and cut out any that are not absolutely necessary?
Read more: How to read the label of a prescription pill bottle
Question 3: Are there any warning signs or symptoms I should tell you about immediately?
With senior adults, new and unexpected changes can crop up on a regular basis. So it’s understandable that you might not pay much attention to an unfamiliar spot that appeared on your hand this morning. Or, even though you’ve noticed you’re wheezing a bit more lately, you dismiss it as just ‘one of those things’.
Ask your doctor for a comprehensive list of symptoms and warning signs that you need to watch out for. For instance:
- Chest pain — this could signal a possible heart attack
- Can’t move one side of your mouth — could be stroke
- Feeling dizzy or sleepy — could be dehydration or hypotension
- Sudden, severe shortness of breath — could be heart or lung issues
- Spots or moles — could signal melanoma
- Blood in your underwear — even if it’s a barely noticeable dot, tell your doctor at once. It could indicate anything from hemorrhoids to colon cancer
Pro tip: Ask if your provider offers Remote Patient Monitoring services that can keep an eye on you 24/7 and will send an alert to the care staff in case your readings go off-track.
Follow-up questions: What warrants an emergency room visit as opposed to ‘watchful waiting’ and scheduling an urgent visit with you? Do you offer after-hours telehealth for urgent concerns? What should I do if something happens on a weekend?
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Question 4: How can I improve my overall health before my next visit?
If there’s anything good doctors appreciate, it’s a patient who works with them to maintain their health goals.
Patients who are eager and willing to listen to their doctor, follow instructions, practice medication adherence, and stick to diet and exercise plans stand a much higher chance of keeping their health under control and staying out of the hospital.
Pro tip: Visit your local senior center, fitness center, health club, gym, or venue that offers sports or athletic activities. Note the activities offered and consult with your doctor about which activity would be a safe, non-injurious, beneficial option for you.
Follow-up questions: At this particular stage, should I focus on losing weight, building strength and balance, or just getting in a general workout? If losing weight is a priority, how much weight should I aim to lose each week?
Read more: 6 signs that prove you’ve got a good doctor
Adapting to the changing landscape of senior healthcare
After age 65, your body undergoes changes that require a shift in how you manage your health. To stay healthy and independent, it’s important to take proactive steps. Here’s what to watch for, and what to do about it:
- Your metabolism slows down and medications may stay in your system longer.
What to do about this: Schedule regular medication reviews with your doctor or pharmacist to adjust dosages and avoid side effects. - Kidney function declines, which affects how fast or how well drugs are cleared you’re your digestive system and bloodstream.
What to do about this: Ask your healthcare provider about kidney function tests, especially before starting new medications. - Your immune system weakens, making you more vulnerable to infections.
What to do about this: Stay up to date on vaccines, practice good hygiene, and seek early treatment if you feel unwell. - You lose muscle mass, which leads to problems with mobility and greater risk of falls.
What to do about this: Incorporate strength training, balance exercises, and adequate protein into your routine.
Bottom line: Healthcare strategies that worked when you were aged 50 years may no longer be enough at 70. Work closely with your care team to create a personalized health plan that fits your body’s current needs.
Medicare coverage you should utilize
Every senior adult enrolled in Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan for a period of 12 months is entitled to a free Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. However, more than half don’t take advantage of this free benefit, and this is a huge missed opportunity.
Come prepared, ask questions, and take control of your care. Schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit with IntraCare today.
Schedule your appointment today
Primary care physicians at IntraCare Health Centers across Arizona and Texas are dedicated to providing personalized, comprehensive care tailored to your needs.
Booking an appointment is easy and a great opportunity to discuss your health concerns, optimize your Medicare benefits, and create a proactive care plan.
Visit theintracare.com to learn more and take the first step toward getting support.