Schedule Your Wellness Visit Before Year-End
Year-end is the ideal time to check in on your health
November 10, 2025 – As the holiday season approaches and families begin planning celebrations, travel, and gatherings, Cedar County Memorial Hospital encourages community members to set aside time for their health by scheduling an annual wellness exam before the end of the year. With insurance benefits often renewing in January, late fall is a smart time to complete routine preventive care and enter the new year in the best health possible.
Annual wellness visits are more than just a routine appointment. These visits help providers detect health changes early, offer guidance on healthy habits, and reinforce steps that support a longer, more active life. Additionally, by seeking preventive care you can protect yourself from unidentified or unmanaged health issues that could require urgent or emergency attention later. For those managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure, maintaining regular visits is especially important to monitor progress and make timely adjustments to care plans.
“A wellness exam is a great way to pause and take stock of where you are with your health,” said Tedi Payne, FNP-C at Cedar County Memorial Hospital’s Medical Mall Clinic. “We look at your overall health picture, discuss anything that has changed, and make sure you are up-to-date on screenings. We want to keep you well by being proactive.”
During a wellness visit, patients can expect a conversation about medical and family history, current medications, lifestyle habits, and any new symptoms or concerns. Providers typically review vital signs such as blood pressure, heart rate, and weight. Lab work may be recommended to monitor cholesterol, blood sugar levels, and organ function. Depending on age, gender, and individual health factors, additional screening recommendations may be discussed. These may include screening for conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, or certain cancers. Immunizations may also be reviewed to ensure that vaccinations are current.
The benefits of these visits extend beyond identifying medical conditions. Providers spend time discussing nutrition, exercise, sleep, stress, and emotional well-being. This comprehensive approach allows patients and providers to work together on building healthy routines and addressing small concerns before they grow into more complex issues. “Wellness visits give us time to talk about the whole person,” Payne said. “We can look at lifestyle, habits, and goals and make a plan that supports you feeling your best throughout the year.”
Wellness appointments are also important for children and teens. Pediatric wellness visits help monitor
growth and development, support healthy learning and behaviors, and provide a safe space to discuss concerns related to school, sleep, or mental health. For adolescents, these visits may include conversations about sports participation, academic stress, social relationships, and healthy habits that carry into adulthood. Families benefit from establishing regular care early, building comfort and continuity with their provider over time.
With many insurance plans, including Medicare, covering annual wellness exams at no cost to the patient, the end of the year can be a financially beneficial time to schedule. For many individuals, deductibles may already be met, making additional lab work or follow-up services more accessible. For those who delayed appointments earlier in the year, this final stretch provides a valuable opportunity to get caught up and enter the new year confidently.
“The end of the year can be a great motivator,” Payne said. “Instead of waiting for January to make a resolution, a wellness visit allows you to take positive action now. You finish the year strong, with a plan in place and clarity about your health.”
Appointments tend to fill quickly as the calendar year closes. CCMH Medical Mall Clinic encourages residents to call early to secure a convenient appointment time. The clinic’s care team is committed to providing compassionate, knowledgeable support and helping every patient take proactive steps toward long-term health. Taking time for a yearly wellness exam is one of the simplest and most effective actions individuals and families can take to protect their health. These visits provide peace of mind, reinforce healthy habits, and strengthen the relationship between patients and their healthcare team.
To schedule a wellness exam or learn more about primary care services, call CCMH Medical Mall Clinic at (417) 876-3333. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover annual wellness visits as part of preventive benefits.