Tips

How Often You Should Visit Each Doctor

Madeline Hlobik
Madeline Hlobik10 Aug 2021
Reviewed and Fact Checked ✔️

From dermatologists to primary care providers (PCP) to gastroenterologists, various doctors serve different purposes in caring for you. With this widespread of doctors, though comes varied times that you should schedule regular visits to each. It is advised that you visit a PCP once every three years, a dermatologist once a year, and dentist two times a year.

If you do not have access to health insurance yet need to visit a certain doctor, Mira is an affordable alternative that can enable you to do so without being employed and at a low cost. With Mira, you will be able to have access to lab testings, urgent care visits, and up to 80% off of prescriptions at just $45 per month. 

How Often You Should Visit Each Doctor

Knowing how often you should visit each doctor can be overwhelming with the vast assortment of doctors and specialists available. To add to the confusion, your age and health conditions can also impact the number of times you frequent a certain doctor. To better grasp how frequently you should grant each doctor a visit, check out the chart below. The list of doctors covered and how often you should see each one includes:

DoctorHow Often to Visit
Primary Care Physician1 time/3 years if you’re under 50
Dermatologist1 time/year
Obstetrician/Gynecologists (OB/GYN)1 time/ year if you’re over 21
Urologist1 time/year if you’re over 40
Gastroenterologist1 time/ 10 years if you’re over 50
AllergistVaries
Cardiologist1 time/ 2-4 years if you’re over 20
Dentist2 times/year

Primary Care Physicians (PCPs)

PCPs are medical doctors who provide comprehensive medical care, as they are trained to prevent, diagnose, and treat a wide range of conditions. You can typically find them in various medical spaces, from clinics to private practices to hospitals. If you need to be tested for a certain virus such as strep throat or any other common ailments, a PCP would be an ideal professional to start with to obtain guidance.

However, PCPs also can provide wellness checks for patients. To maintain your health, if you are under the age of 50 and have no other pre-existing health conditions, it is recommended that you visit your PCP once every three years. Once you turn 50, though, you should consider visiting a doctor every year for a checkup.

In these well checks, PCPs will be able to check for conditions such as depression, high blood pressure, risk factors for heart disease, signs of domestic violence, and more. Through these routine checkups, your PCP will be able to assess any potential risks since your last exam. With these exams, you will stay on top of your health and continually obtain recommendations on how to alter your lifestyle to achieve your best health.

Source: https://icasnetwork.com/why-is-primary-health-care-important/ 

Health Image

Get affordable doctor copay without paying insurance premiums

Join 39,000 people and get Mira, the best alternative to traditional insurance. Enroll and use immediately. Plans start at only $45/mo.

Madeline Hlobik

Madeline is a Senior at UCLA majoring in Human Biology & Society with a minor in Spanish. She's currently a Healthcare Research Analyst at Mira, writing content for the blog to help the public better understand certain medical issues, technologies, testings, and the importance of healthcare.

Get Health BenefitsGet Lab TestsTalk Therapy
Get ObamaCare
> See Plans