If you are under 50, I agree with the other comments that you don’t really need to see a doctor regularly. I would want a baseline examination, though, to see if you have any tendencies toward bad cholesterol or blood sugar, so you can maintain a diet that will keep you healthy and able to continue skipping the doctor visits. I agree with MartinB that you should see the dentist at least once a year for a checkup and cleaning.
If you are approaching or over 50, you should really get a prostate exam every year or so. Prostate cancer is very common, relatively slow to progress, and very treatable if caught early on. Apparently (I just learned this in checking the web that I’m not giving you bad info) it is possible to do self-examinations, but combined with all the other things (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc) that have increasing probability with age, you should probably be seeing a doctor once a year anyway.
Whatever doctor you call, you can ask them what their fee is before making an appointment. You can also ask what their fees are for specific tests and procedures. Calling several doctors and asking the same questions (i.e. shopping around) is the only way I know of to find cheap doctors. As for skill, recommendations are the way to go. You may be able to find recommendations/reviews online.
If you are male and under 30 you should see a doctor every so often to get blood work done—say every 3-5 years. This is to check your blood sugar (diabetes) and establish a cholesterol baseline. If you’re a drinker also start tracking your liver enzymes.
From 30 to 40 every other year is OK, unless you want to watch something more closely. If you’re heavily involved in shooting sports and/or reloading, or some other sport with exposure to heavy metals or toxic chemicals discuss this with your physician and get the appopriate tests.
After 40 you’re really better off getting blood work done annually.
As you hit your mid-40s getting your A1C baselined and then checked every so often is a good idea.
But yes, if you’re paying out of pocket call around and see who will give you the best deal.
Also you really SHOULD consider a class of insurance (if you can find it anymore, idiot politicians have priced it out of some markets) called “catastrophic health care insurance”. This doesn’t cover you if you want an HIV test, or blood work, it doesn’t cover your breast enlargements or vasectomy, but if an uninsured drunk car thief knocks you off your bicycle it WILL cover the bills he won’t pay.
If you are under 50, I agree with the other comments that you don’t really need to see a doctor regularly. I would want a baseline examination, though, to see if you have any tendencies toward bad cholesterol or blood sugar, so you can maintain a diet that will keep you healthy and able to continue skipping the doctor visits. I agree with MartinB that you should see the dentist at least once a year for a checkup and cleaning.
If you are approaching or over 50, you should really get a prostate exam every year or so. Prostate cancer is very common, relatively slow to progress, and very treatable if caught early on. Apparently (I just learned this in checking the web that I’m not giving you bad info) it is possible to do self-examinations, but combined with all the other things (blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, etc) that have increasing probability with age, you should probably be seeing a doctor once a year anyway.
Whatever doctor you call, you can ask them what their fee is before making an appointment. You can also ask what their fees are for specific tests and procedures. Calling several doctors and asking the same questions (i.e. shopping around) is the only way I know of to find cheap doctors. As for skill, recommendations are the way to go. You may be able to find recommendations/reviews online.
If you are male and under 30 you should see a doctor every so often to get blood work done—say every 3-5 years. This is to check your blood sugar (diabetes) and establish a cholesterol baseline. If you’re a drinker also start tracking your liver enzymes.
From 30 to 40 every other year is OK, unless you want to watch something more closely. If you’re heavily involved in shooting sports and/or reloading, or some other sport with exposure to heavy metals or toxic chemicals discuss this with your physician and get the appopriate tests.
After 40 you’re really better off getting blood work done annually.
As you hit your mid-40s getting your A1C baselined and then checked every so often is a good idea.
But yes, if you’re paying out of pocket call around and see who will give you the best deal.
Also you really SHOULD consider a class of insurance (if you can find it anymore, idiot politicians have priced it out of some markets) called “catastrophic health care insurance”. This doesn’t cover you if you want an HIV test, or blood work, it doesn’t cover your breast enlargements or vasectomy, but if an uninsured drunk car thief knocks you off your bicycle it WILL cover the bills he won’t pay.
Pro tip: if you donate blood, they check it for free.