Spring is the best time of year to schedule the health appointments you've been putting off. Schedules are lighter than summer, appointment availability is better, and you can handle anything that comes up before July turns everything into chaos.
Here's what's worth getting done before June.
Annual Physical
If you haven't had a physical in over a year, this is the one to start with.
A primary care visit gives you a baseline on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight. It's also the appointment where you can address anything that's been nagging you, get referrals for specialists, and review any medications you're on.
Most insurance plans cover annual physicals at 100%. If you don't have insurance, telehealth-based primary care is now a legitimate option for many people: lower cost, no waiting rooms, and the same basic checkup capability for patients without complex needs.
Don't skip this one because you feel fine. A lot of the things an annual physical catches (high blood pressure, prediabetes, high cholesterol) have no symptoms until they've been building for years.
Skin Check Before Sun Season
Spring is the right time to schedule a dermatology visit for a skin check, before summer sun exposure adds to whatever's already there.
A full skin check takes about 15 minutes and involves your dermatologist examining your skin for concerning moles, lesions, or changes. If anything looks abnormal, they can biopsy it or schedule follow-up. Most insurance covers a routine skin check annually.
If you've had a history of sunburns, spend significant time outdoors, or have a family history of skin cancer, don't skip this. Melanoma caught early is highly treatable. Caught late, the story is very different.
Can't get a dermatology appointment in time? Some telehealth services now offer remote skin checks using photos you upload. It's not a perfect replacement for in-person, but it's better than skipping entirely.
Dental Cleaning
Most people are due for a dental cleaning every 6 months. Many push it to once a year or less.
The consequences are slow and invisible right up until they're not: cavities that require fillings, gum disease that progresses silently, and eventually tooth loss that's both painful and expensive.
A cleaning and exam runs $75-$200 without insurance, or is typically covered twice annually with insurance. Getting ahead of any issues in the spring means you're not dealing with a dental emergency in August when you're traveling.
If you've been avoiding the dentist because of anxiety or cost, telehealth dental consultations are now available for basic questions and minor concerns. They won't replace a cleaning, but they can help you know what to prioritize.
Eye Exam
Adults should have a comprehensive eye exam every 1-2 years. Kids and older adults more frequently.
Beyond checking your vision prescription, eye exams catch early signs of diabetes, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and high blood pressure, sometimes before other symptoms appear. Your eye doctor can see blood vessels that tell a story about your systemic health.
If your vision has been blurry, you're getting headaches, or you haven't been seen in more than 2 years, schedule this one.
Allergy Consultation if Last Spring Was Rough
If spring allergies made last year miserable, consider an allergist consultation before this season hits full swing.
An allergist can run skin tests or blood tests to identify exactly what you're reacting to, then recommend a treatment plan. That might mean better prescription antihistamines, nasal corticosteroids, or starting allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots or sublingual drops) that reduce your sensitivity over time.
Immunotherapy takes 3-5 years to build up full protection, so the sooner you start, the sooner you get relief. A telehealth visit with a primary care provider is a reasonable first step if you want prescription-strength options without the specialist wait time.
For Parents: Get Kids' Well-Child Visits Scheduled Now
Pediatricians book up fast in summer. If your kids need their annual well-child visit (and most school-aged kids need one per year), schedule in April or May rather than August when every parent is scrambling before school starts.
Well-child visits include vaccinations, developmental screenings, vision and hearing tests, and a check on growth and weight. Schools increasingly require documentation of these visits for enrollment. Getting ahead of the summer rush means not scrambling the week before school.
What You Can Handle Through Telehealth Right Now
Not every appointment requires an in-person visit. A telehealth visit works for:
- Discussing your annual lab results with a provider
- Prescription renewals for stable, chronic conditions
- Allergy medication consultations
- Mental health check-ins (therapist or psychiatrist visits are widely available via video)
- Minor illness or injury triage
The annual physical, skin check, dental cleaning, and eye exam do require in-person care. Everything else on the health maintenance list is increasingly available without a waiting room.
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Preventive care is always cheaper than treating something that got out of hand. Spending a few hours in April on appointments prevents the kind of health surprises that disrupt your summer.
Bivvy Health offers low-cost telehealth visits for the appointments you can handle remotely, so you can save the in-person slots for what actually requires them. Worth checking out if you're managing your health without great insurance coverage.