When someone is asking you to do something right away when you are being proposed a decision, it is not usually a good thing. You should never feel rushed or compelled to do something under pressure. If it is a good deal today, it will be a good deal tomorrow or next week.
I would enjoin you, however, to soon consider getting your annual physical prior to Open Season. The reason I am telling you is it may be a factor in changing the type of health care plan you have.
The Open Season for the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) in 2026 is scheduled from November 10th to December 8th of this year.
Open Season is the only time you can make changes to your FEHB coverage except for a Qualifying Life Event, such as marriage, birth of a child or loss of other coverage. Your elections are effective the first day of the full pay period in January of the following year.
If you are fine with your current plan, it is still a good idea to review it during the Open Season to learn of any changes to the current benefits or premiums.
But what about your health condition and that of your family members?
Setting up an appointment prior to Open Season to include time for the disclosure of the tests and screenings means you may want to schedule a health exam ahead of Open Season. That is because it takes time for the process to consider the findings of the tests and screening as considerations for possibly changing to another plan that may be the best suited for the new information.
Keeping up with routine cancer screenings can increase your chances of detecting cancer in the earliest stages when it’s most treatable. Your primary care provider (PCP) will consider your age and risk factors during your annual physical exam and may recommend cancer screenings, including those for skin cancer, breast cancer, gynecological cancer like cervical cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, or lung cancer.
It may be a good time for everyone to get their annual health physicals at least a few weeks prior to Open Season. This is because such an examination is required to have the following tests or screenings to identify underlying conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms. Your test results also enable your PCP to make recommendations for follow-up testing, as well as lifestyle, exercise, or diet changes that can help you improve or maintain your health.
You may also need the following tests or screenings to identify underlying conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol screening
- Blood glucose screening
- Osteoporosis screening
- Body mass index
- Blood pressure screening
- Cholesterol screening
- Blood glucose screening
- Osteoporosis screening
- Body mass index
Your test results also enable your primary care provider to make recommendations for follow-up testing, as well as lifestyle, exercise, or diet changes that can help you improve or maintain your health.
You may want to ensure your vaccines are up-to-date to prevent dangerous diseases or conditions. Your doctor will review your vaccination history and risk factors during your annual physical exam and may recommend immunizations, including:
- COVID-19 vaccine
- Tdap vaccine
- Flu vaccine
- HPV vaccine
- Pneumonia vaccine
- Shingles vaccine
- Hepatitis B vaccine
If you are going to the same primary care provider, you are at an advantage. Your medical records should show the current status of your vaccine history. But suppose you go to a new provider? Did all your medical records get shared from your prior provider?
Always ask for your full medical records to be shared with a new provider. You may also want to retain a digital copy for your own safekeeping.
What about external medical events with other health care professionals? This includes visits to an emergency clinic. Learn and always carry with you how your doctor would like the information electronically forwarded from any visits and especially labs. Remember to ask the external care provided for a personal copy.
Asking for a personal copy to be given or sent to you serves is important. If you don’t get a copy in a few days ask again for one. Keep the paperwork to remind you about the external visit and bring it to share with your PCP for the next visit. This will ensure it is discussed during your next visit.
