Do you have to go to the primary doctor for a wellness visit?

September 24, 2025 •

4 min read

While nearly 92% of Americans believe in the importance of annual check-ups, many are unsure where to go. So, do you have to go to the primary doctor for a wellness visit, or are there other options for your preventive health needs? This guide explores your alternatives and helps you navigate the healthcare system for your yearly check-in.

Quick Summary

No, a primary care doctor is not always the only option for a wellness visit. Many different healthcare professionals, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can perform this preventive assessment, and services are often available outside a traditional primary care office.

Key Points

Not Required to See a PCP: A primary care physician is not the only provider who can perform a wellness visit; nurse practitioners and physician assistants are also qualified.
Wellness Visit vs. Physical Exam: An annual wellness visit focuses on preventive planning and health risk assessment, while a traditional physical exam involves a hands-on assessment and addressing current issues.
Alternative Care Settings: Urgent care centers, community health centers, and telehealth services can be viable options for your annual check-up, especially for quick access.
Insurance Matters: Understand that discussing new symptoms during a wellness visit may result in additional charges, as the visit may be reclassified as diagnostic rather than preventive.
Value of Continuity: While alternatives are useful, a long-term relationship with a primary care provider offers the highest level of coordinated and personalized care.
Prioritize Preventive Care: The most important step is to schedule your wellness visit regularly, regardless of the provider you choose, to proactively manage your health.

The Short Answer: Who Can Perform a Wellness Visit?

It is a common misconception that only a primary care physician (PCP) can perform an annual wellness visit. In reality, a team of qualified medical professionals is often authorized to conduct these important preventive appointments. This flexibility is especially helpful for individuals who may not have a regular PCP, have recently moved, or are looking for more accessible options.

The healthcare professionals who can typically perform a wellness visit include:

Primary Care Physicians (PCPs): This is the traditional route, and having a long-term relationship with a PCP offers significant benefits, as they are familiar with your medical history and can provide coordinated care.
Nurse Practitioners (NPs): Highly trained and licensed, NPs can conduct wellness visits and often have more availability for appointments than physicians.
Physician Assistants (PAs): Similar to NPs, PAs are qualified to perform wellness visits and can serve as your primary care provider in many states.
Other Medical Professionals: Under the direct supervision of a physician, other qualified team members like registered dietitians or health educators can contribute to aspects of the visit.

Understanding the Difference: Wellness Visit vs. Physical Exam

To navigate your options correctly, it's crucial to understand the distinction between an annual wellness visit and a traditional physical exam. The former is a preventive-focused discussion, while the latter is a hands-on assessment.

The Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)

This visit is not a physical exam. It is a preventive appointment covered by Medicare and many other insurance plans that focuses on creating or updating a personalized prevention plan. During an AWV, your provider will typically:

Conduct a health risk assessment questionnaire.
Review your medical and family history.
Update your list of current medications and providers.
Measure routine vitals like height, weight, and blood pressure.
Assess for cognitive impairment and depression.
Establish a screening schedule for appropriate preventive services.

The Traditional Annual Physical Exam

This is the hands-on checkup most people associate with an annual visit. It's designed to assess your current health status and address any existing or new health issues. Unlike an AWV, a physical exam may include:

A comprehensive, hands-on physical assessment.
Lab tests and blood work.
Addressing symptoms for acute illnesses or chronic conditions.

Note on Insurance: Many insurance plans cover one wellness or preventive visit a year at no cost. However, if you discuss a specific health concern or new symptom during the visit, your provider may bill it as a diagnostic service, which could result in an out-of-pocket expense like a copay.

Alternatives to Your Primary Care Physician

Even if you don’t have a long-term relationship with a PCP, you have several options for receiving a wellness visit. These alternatives can provide convenient and accessible care.

Urgent Care Centers

Some urgent care centers are equipped to perform wellness exams and preventive screenings. This can be a good option for people who need a quick, walk-in appointment, but it's important to confirm they offer this specific service and that your insurance will cover it. Urgent care is built for convenience, not for fostering a long-term doctor-patient relationship.

Community Health Centers

These centers often serve underserved communities and offer preventive care services on a sliding-scale payment system for those without insurance. They are typically staffed by qualified healthcare professionals and can provide a good option for accessible and affordable wellness visits.

Telehealth Services

For certain components of a wellness visit, telehealth can be a convenient option. Providers can conduct a health risk assessment, review medical history, and provide lifestyle counseling via video chat. For physical measurements or lab tests, an in-person visit to a designated site would still be necessary.

Choosing the Right Provider for Your Needs

Your best choice for a wellness visit depends on your specific needs, insurance coverage, and health goals. The following table provides a quick comparison to help you decide.


Feature	Primary Care Physician (PCP)	Other Professionals (NP/PA)	Urgent Care Clinic	Telehealth Service
Best for...	Coordinated, long-term care	Accessibility and availability	Quick, convenient appointments	Remote access and flexibility
Pros	Consistent care, deep medical history knowledge, specialist referrals	Often shorter wait times, can act as PCP, qualified providers	Convenient walk-in service, extended hours	Consultations from home, good for rural areas
Cons	Long appointment wait times, provider shortages	Less continuity than a long-term PCP	Focuses on acute issues, less comprehensive long-term view	Limited to virtual assessment, requires in-person follow-up for physical exams or labs
Continuity of Care	High	Medium to High	Low	Varies by service

The Value of a Long-Term Primary Relationship

While alternatives provide excellent accessibility, a lasting relationship with a primary care provider offers unique benefits. A consistent PCP gets to know your complete medical history, health patterns, and personal lifestyle. This allows them to provide more personalized preventive advice and make more informed decisions about your care. They also play a crucial role in coordinating care with specialists if and when you need them.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Preventive Health

Ultimately, the key is not where you go, but that you go at all. Regular wellness visits, regardless of the provider, are a cornerstone of preventive health and can help catch potential issues early. Whether you opt for a traditional PCP, a nurse practitioner at a community health center, or a virtual visit, the goal is to be proactive about your well-being. Don't let the lack of a designated primary care doctor be a barrier to getting the care you need. You can find more information about Medicare's Annual Wellness Visit requirements and what to expect on their official website: Medicare.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in many jurisdictions, a licensed nurse practitioner or physician assistant can perform an annual wellness visit. They are qualified to conduct health risk assessments, review medical history, and create a personalized prevention plan, similar to a primary care physician.

No, they are different. A wellness visit is primarily a preventive, planning-focused discussion with a provider, while a physical exam is a hands-on, diagnostic assessment that addresses any current or new health concerns you may have.

Most insurance plans cover one annual preventive visit per year, regardless of the provider, as long as they are in your plan's network. It's best to confirm coverage with your insurance carrier or the clinic beforehand to avoid any surprise charges.

Some urgent care centers do offer preventive wellness visits. It's important to call the specific urgent care clinic in advance to ensure they offer the service you need and to verify that they accept your insurance for preventive care.

If you bring up and receive treatment for a new or existing health problem during a wellness visit, the provider may bill it as a separate, diagnostic service. This could result in a copay or other out-of-pocket costs, even if the wellness visit itself is covered at no charge.

You might choose an alternative provider for reasons such as convenience, better appointment availability, or a lack of an established primary care relationship. Urgent care and telehealth can offer quicker access, while community health centers might be a more affordable option.

A long-term relationship with a PCP provides continuity of care and a comprehensive understanding of your medical history. This allows for more personalized health advice, better management of chronic conditions, and seamless coordination with specialists if needed.