What are the ages for well child visits?

Patients between 16-18 years may be seen without a parent for a well visit. However, the parent/guardian must still complete a Permission to Treat a Minor Form. If permission from a parent cannot be obtained, the child cannot be seen, unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

Some pediatricians’ schedules will vary slightly, but the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends babies get checkups at birth, 3 to 5 days after birth and then at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18 and 24 months.

You do not have to pay a copay for this care because it is preventive care and is covered under most, but not all, insurance plans. Check with your insurance company or employer to find out if you’re in a grandfathered health plan.

An annual exam does not include discussion of new problems or detailed review of chronic conditions. Annual exams may also be called routine check-ups, yearly exams, an annual pap, or preventive visit. Will my insurance pay for a wellness exam? Most health plans will pay for one wellness or preventative exam per year.

A well visit is a scheduled appointment with your doctor or nurse when you are not sick. This visit helps to prevent health problems and is a perfect chance for you to talk to your doctor or nurse. Many people use terms like “checkup” or “yearly physical” instead of well visit-all of these terms mean the same thing.

A well-check visit, also called an annual physical or check-up, is a preventative measure and a time for communication with your physician. According to the Journal of Family Practice, annual physical exams reduce risks of potentially missed diagnoses.

On average, pediatricians work about 50 hours per week. But they also spend another 4 hours per week helping the community through education, schools and government, professional group activities or providing free medical care to the needy.

Well-baby exam: What to expect during routine checkups. A well-baby exam involves measurements, vaccines and an evaluation of your baby’s development. Well-baby exams, or regular checkups, are an important way to monitor your baby’s growth and development.

Well-Baby/Well-Child Care. Regularly scheduled, preventive care services, including immunizations, provided to children up to an age specified by a health insurance company or mandated by a government agency.

Typical costs: Immunizations for the first year cost at least $620, while the average total cost for all vaccines needed during childhood and adolescence is about $1,170. The total cost includes the cost of the vaccine itself and administration by a health care professional.

In addition to taking your child to the healthcare provider when your child is ill, or needs an exam to participate in a particular activity, routine well-care visits are recommended. Well-care, well-baby, or well-child visits are routine visits to the child’s healthcare provider for the following: Physical exam.

Recommended Immunization Schedule for Persons Age 0 Through 18 Years

Hepatitis B (HepB) vaccine. (

Rotavirus vaccines. (

Diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine. (

Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) conjugate vaccines. (

Pneumococcal vaccines. (

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. (

Most of the time, your child’s vaccines coordinate with her well-baby visits (at months 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, and 24 for the first two years). Under the current immunization schedule, your baby will get about 10 different vaccinations (in about 25 doses) before she turns 2.

Birth to 15 MonthsVaccine2 mos4 mosDiphtheria, tetanus, & acellular pertussis3 (DTaP: <7 yrs)1st dose2nd doseHaemophilus influenzae type b4 (Hib)1st dose2nd dosePneumococcal conjugate5 (PCV13)1st dose2nd doseInactivated poliovirus6 (IPV:<18 yrs)1st dose2nd dose

Your baby will receive the DTaP, Hib, polio, pneumococcal vaccines (combined in two shots) and the rotavirus vaccine (given orally). An assistant may administer the vaccines. This is usually done at the end of the appointment so you can have some privacy afterward to comfort your baby.

During this time, your child receives the following vaccines:

Diphtheria, tetanus and whooping cough (pertussis) (DTaP)

Polio (IPV)

Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR)

Chickenpox (Varicella)

Influenza (flu) every year.

7 childhood diseases that can be prevented by vaccines:

Diphtheria (the ‘D’ in DTaP vaccine)

Tetanus (the ‘T’ in DTaP vaccine; also known as Lockjaw)

Pertussis (the ‘P’ in DTaP vaccine, also known as Whooping Cough)

Hib (Haemophilus influenzae type b)

Hepatitis B.

Polio.

Pneumococcal Disease.

You Can Expect Your Pediatrician to: Weigh and measure your child. Perform a physical exam of your child. Give your child another dose of the diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccine, Hib vaccine, or pneumococcal vaccine, and in the fall or winter, a flu shot.

Although opinion varies, most doctors won’t start giving Baby shots, vaccines, or immunizations until he is 2 months old (at the next appointment). Some hospitals will give babies a hepatitis B shot shortly after birth.

Your baby will receive the Hib, pneumococcal, chicken pox (varicella), MMR, and hepatitis A vaccines (combined into two or three shots). Also: hepatitis B, and polio (if she hasn’t had the third doses yet). An assistant may administer the vaccines.