Under the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans are required to cover annual wellness visits — also called preventive care visits or annual physicals — at no cost to the patient when you see an in-network provider. That means no copay, no deductible applied, and no cost-sharing for the visit itself.
This applies to most commercial insurance plans, Medicare (as the Annual Wellness Visit), and many Medicaid plans. The specific coverage details vary by plan, so it’s always worth confirming with your insurer — but for the vast majority of patients, your annual physical is free.
What’s Included in a Preventive Visit?
A covered preventive visit typically includes a comprehensive health history review, physical examination, vital signs, age-appropriate health screenings, immunization review, and a discussion of any health concerns or goals.
Importantly, preventive visits and sick visits are billed differently. If you come in for your annual physical but also address a specific complaint — say, a rash or joint pain — that portion of the visit may be billed separately and subject to your regular copay. Your provider can help you understand how your visit will be billed.
Insurance We Accept at The Batson Clinic
The Batson Clinic accepts most major insurance plans in Little Rock, including BCBS Arkansas, Aetna, Cigna, Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, Tricare, UMR, Wellcare, and Ambetter. If you’re not sure whether we accept your plan, call us and we’ll confirm before your visit.
We also see patients who prefer to pay out of pocket. Call our office for current self-pay rates.
When Did You Last Have a Physical?
If it’s been more than a year — or you’ve never established with a primary care provider — now is a great time to schedule. Annual physicals are how we catch problems early, establish baselines, and build the kind of provider-patient relationship that makes healthcare work.
The Batson Clinic is accepting new patients now. Book your annual physical at batsonhealth.com or call (501) 406-3933. Same-week appointments available.