The most effective way to maintain your health is by staying on top of recommended preventive care. Under GW medical plans preventative medical visits, such as your annual well visit, are covered at no cost to you.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, visiting your doctor may look different from usual and may take extra time to coordinate, but these tips can help you remain proactive about your care.
- Contact your provider to see if your doctor offers telehealth visits, this may be an option for your situation.
- Prepare, too, for your telehealth session. You might be asked about health insurance information, medical history–including past procedures, medications, and your provider’s contact name and numbers, among other information.
- Your doctor may determine you need an in-person visit, such as if you are an older adult or someone with a chronic condition. If your doctor advises you to come into the office, be sure to carefully read and follow all the health and safety protocols outlined by your provider.
- Keep up with good self-care prevention habits. With many doctor and dental offices not fully open and emergency rooms challenged with COVID-19 patients, it’s important to not only be vigilant about wearing face coverings, social distancing and hand washing, but to also keep up with routine habits that keep you as healthy as possible. Be extra vigilant about daily brushing and flossing, eating nutrient-dense food, limiting alcohol, getting proper sleep, and taking the right safety precautions, such as wearing safety goggles when using power equipment, a helmet when biking, and a life jacket when boating, and protecting against poison ivy and bug bites when outside.
For more information about doctor visits and getting medications during the pandemic, visit: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/doctor-visits-medicine.html
