A physical exam is a head-to-toe check-up with a clinician. The annual physical exam is the yearly preventive version, focused on catching problems early and keeping your screenings and vaccines up to date. If you’re searching for a physical exam near me, this guide covers where to go, what it costs and how to prepare.
Want to check what you know? Try the physical exam practice quiz.
Key takeaways
- Most private insurance plans cover one preventive physical a year at $0 in-network.
- Original Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit, not a routine head-to-toe physical.
- Bringing up new problems during the visit can add a separate charge.
- Sports, school, job and DOT physicals are different visits with their own forms.
USA Physical Exam: Quick Facts
- Typical length
- 20–60 minutes
- Cost with ACA plan
- $0 preventive visit in-network
- Self-pay (primary care)
- About $100–$300
- Retail clinic sports/school physical
- About $25–$100
- Normal BP (AHA)
- Below 120/80
- Healthy BMI
- 18.5–24.9
What Is a Physical Exam?
During a physical exam, a doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant reviews your history and examines your body using inspection, palpation (touch), percussion (tapping) and auscultation (listening with a stethoscope).
- Vital signs: blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, temperature, height, weight and BMI
- Head, eyes, ears, nose and throat
- Heart and lung exam
- Abdomen exam
- Skin, lymph nodes and joints
- Neurological check, such as reflexes and strength
- Review of screenings, vaccines and lifestyle
Annual Physical Exam: Screenings by Age
Your annual physical exam is when your clinician checks which preventive screenings you’re due for. Common USPSTF-recommended screenings include:
| Screening | Who |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure | All adults 18+ |
| Depression | All adults |
| HIV (at least once) | Ages 15–65 |
| Hepatitis C (at least once) | Ages 18–79 |
| Prediabetes / type 2 diabetes | Ages 35–70 with overweight or obesity |
| Colorectal cancer | Ages 45–75 |
| Mammogram (every 2 years) | Women 40–74 (see breast exam) |
| Cervical cancer | Ages 21–65 (see pelvic exam) |
| Prostate cancer (PSA) discussion | Men 55–69 (see prostate exam) |
Vaccines are also reviewed: an annual flu shot, a Td/Tdap booster every 10 years, and age-based vaccines such as shingles and pneumococcal.
More on Annual Physical Exam: Screenings by Age →Physical Exam Near Me (and Annual Physical Exam Near Me)
| Option | Best for | Typical self-pay cost |
|---|---|---|
| Primary care office | Annual physicals and ongoing care | $100–$300 |
| Urgent care | Quick job, school or sports physicals | $75–$200 |
| Retail clinic (pharmacy-based) | Sports and school physicals | $25–$100 |
| Community health center | Low-cost care on a sliding scale | Income-based |
| Telehealth | Follow-ups and counseling (can’t do a hands-on exam) | Varies |
With insurance, start with your plan’s in-network directory so the preventive visit is covered at $0. Commercial drivers need a certified examiner for a DOT physical exam.
More on Physical Exam Near Me (and Annual Physical Exam Near Me) →How Much Does a Physical Exam Cost?
Under the Affordable Care Act, most private plans cover a yearly preventive visit at no cost with in-network providers. But if you discuss a new problem, like knee pain or a medication change, the office may bill a separate problem-focused visit with normal cost-sharing.
People with Medicare get a free Annual Wellness Visit instead of a routine physical. See our annual wellness exam guide.
More on How Much Does a Physical Exam Cost →How to Prepare for a Physical Exam
- Bring a list of medications and supplements, plus your vaccine records.
- Update your family history (heart disease, cancer, diabetes).
- If fasting labs are ordered, fast as instructed (often 8–12 hours; water is usually fine).
- Write down your questions, and wear clothes that are easy to adjust.
Types of Physical Exams
- Sports / school physical (pre-participation evaluation): clears students for athletics.
- Pre-employment physical: job-specific fitness requirements.
- DOT physical: required for commercial drivers. See our DOT physical exam guide.
- Immigration medical exam: done by a USCIS-designated civil surgeon (Form I-693).
- Life insurance exam: a paramedical exam. See life insurance medical exam.
CVS MinuteClinic and Urgent Care Physical Exams
Retail clinics like CVS MinuteClinic and urgent care centers offer school, sports, camp and employment physicals, and some do DOT physicals. Self-pay prices are commonly around $50–$150. They’re convenient, but a preventive annual physical with your own primary care provider is usually free under ACA-compliant insurance and better for long-term care.
More on CVS MinuteClinic and Urgent Care Physical Exams →Physical Exam Template
Clinicians document a head-to-toe exam in a standard order:
- General appearance and vital signs
- HEENT (head, eyes, ears, nose, throat) and neck
- Cardiovascular and respiratory
- Abdomen
- Musculoskeletal and skin
- Neurological (see cranial nerve exam)
- Psychiatric (see mental status exam)
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Go to the USA Physical Exam practice test →USA Physical Exam FAQs
What is a hernia exam?
The clinician looks and feels for a bulge in the groin or abdomen, often while you stand, turn your head and cough. The cough raises abdominal pressure so an inguinal hernia can be felt. It’s common in sports and some employment physicals.
Full answer →What is a thyroid exam?
The clinician feels the front of your neck, often while you swallow, to check the thyroid’s size and look for nodules or tenderness. Blood tests (TSH) and ultrasound are used if something feels abnormal.
Full answer →What happens at an annual physical exam?
Vital signs, a head-to-toe exam, a review of your history and medications, age-based screenings and vaccines, and sometimes lab work.
Full answer →Is an annual physical free?
Most private plans cover one preventive visit a year at $0 in-network. Extra problem-focused services may cost extra. Original Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit instead of a routine physical.
Full answer →How much is a physical exam without insurance?
Typically $100–$300 at a primary care office, and about $25–$100 for a simple sports or school physical at a retail clinic.
Full answer →Where can I get a physical exam near me?
Primary care offices, urgent care centers, pharmacy retail clinics and community health centers. Check your insurer’s directory for in-network options.
Full answer →Do I need to fast before a physical?
Only if your clinician ordered fasting blood work. Then you usually fast 8–12 hours, with water allowed.
Full answer →Official sources
Disclaimer: This guide is for general information and is not medical advice. Coverage, prices and requirements change and vary by provider and location. Confirm details with your provider, insurer or the agency listed in the sources. Read our editorial policy.