Body · Preventive care

Checkups and screenings by age

See a provider for a checkup even when you feel fine: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and high blood sugar often have no early symptoms. In your 20s and 30s that means blood pressure every 3 to 5 years, cholesterol from 20, one-time HIV and hepatitis C tests, a dentist once or twice a year, a yearly flu shot and a tetanus booster every 10 years. Many screenings are free in network.

EasyAbout an hour a year, plus dental visitsMany screenings $0 in network; adult dental often separateChecked October 3, 2026

You'll need

Your insurance card, or the name of a local health center
Your family health history, if you know it
A list of your medicines
Your vaccine records, if you have them

What to know

Go even when you feel fine. The only way to know if you have high blood pressure is to have it checked, and high blood sugar and cholesterol may have no symptoms early on. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Blood pressure: at least every 3 to 5 years from age 18, more often if you have diabetes, heart or kidney problems, obesity, a parent or sibling with high blood pressure, or borderline readings. Source: MedlinePlus¹ Pharmacy and grocery store machines can check it between visits. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Cholesterol: starting at 20 and every 4 to 6 years if you have no risk factors, per the American Heart Association guidance MedlinePlus cites. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Diabetes: screening from age 35 if you're overweight or have obesity, repeated every 3 years, and earlier if you have other risk factors. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Infections: every adult 18 to 79 should get a one-time hepatitis C test, and everyone 15 to 65 a one-time HIV test, yearly if at higher risk. Source: MedlinePlus¹ Sexually active women should be screened for chlamydia and gonorrhea through age 24. Source: MedlinePlus²
Cervical cancer screening (if you have a cervix): start at 21, with a Pap test every 3 years from 21 to 29. From 30 to 65, it's a Pap every 3 years, an HPV test every 5, or both every 5. Source: MedlinePlus²
Eyes: an eye exam every 5 to 10 years before 40, every 2 years if you have vision problems, and every year if you wear contacts. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Teeth: see a dentist once or twice a year for an exam and cleaning. Source: MedlinePlus¹ CDC says at least once a year, and more than 80% of people have had at least one cavity by age 34. Source: CDC⁷
Vaccines: get a flu shot every year and a tetanus booster (Td or Tdap) every 10 years. Source: CDC adult schedule MedlinePlus⁵¹ You may need others based on your age, job, travel or health. Source: CDC⁴
COVID-19 vaccine: ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist whether this season's shot is right for you. Federal guidance is in flux. CDC's COVID-19 page says the vaccine is recommended based on individual decision-making and that updates are coming. Source: CDC⁶ But after a federal court order on March 16, 2026 paused the 2025 votes of CDC's vaccine advisers, CDC's adult schedule, which CDC calls current, lists a COVID-19 vaccine for all adults. Source: CDC adult schedule⁵
Know what's free. Marketplace plans and many others must cover a list of adult preventive services with no copay or coinsurance in network, even before your deductible, including blood pressure, depression, HIV and hepatitis C screening and routine vaccines. Coverage can vary. Source: HealthCare.gov³

Watch out A free checkup can still produce a bill. If a new problem comes up during the visit and the provider evaluates or treats it, that part can be billed separately with a copay or deductible charge. Source: KFF Health News¹⁰ Ask at the start: "Is everything today billed as preventive?"

Your 18-to-39 checklist

For most adults without extra risk factors. Your provider may suggest more, or more often.

What	How often	Source
Blood pressure	At least every 3 to 5 years	MedlinePlus
Cholesterol	From 20, every 4 to 6 years	MedlinePlus
Diabetes	From 35 if overweight, every 3 years	MedlinePlus
Hepatitis C	Once, ages 18 to 79	MedlinePlus
HIV	Once, ages 15 to 65; yearly if higher risk	MedlinePlus
Cervical cancer	From 21; every 3 to 5 years depending on test	MedlinePlus
Dentist	Once or twice a year	MedlinePlus
Eye exam	Every 5 to 10 years; yearly with contacts	MedlinePlus
Flu vaccine	Every year	CDC
Tetanus booster (Td or Tdap)	Every 10 years	CDC
COVID-19 vaccine	Ask a doctor, nurse or pharmacist; federal guidance is in flux	CDC

Checked October 3, 2026. Guidelines change; your provider will use the current ones.

Turning 40 and beyond (what's coming)

Colorectal cancer screening is on the free preventive list for adults 45 to 75. Source: HealthCare.gov³
Type 2 diabetes screening is listed for adults 40 to 70 who are overweight or have obesity. Source: HealthCare.gov³
Most women don't need a screening mammogram before 40 unless they're at higher risk. Source: MedlinePlus²

See it done

Video by UM Baltimore Washington Medical Center nurse practitioner Christina Butterly, CRNP Hospital

What Happens at an Annual Physical

Watch on YouTube: What Happens at an Annual Physical

2020 · Checked October 3, 2026

It's short and general. Which checks you need at your age are in the steps.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

No insurance? Health centers funded by HRSA offer medical and dental care and charge based on what you can pay. Source: HRSA⁹
No dental coverage? Dental isn't an essential health benefit for adults, so health plans don't have to include it. In the Marketplace you can buy a separate dental plan with your health plan, but check for waiting periods. Source: HealthCare.gov⁸
Not sure which vaccines you had? Your provider can tell you whether you're immune to some diseases, like measles. Source: MedlinePlus¹ Ask about catching up on HPV if you didn't finish the series. Source: MedlinePlus¹
Got a surprise bill after a checkup? Ask for an itemized bill and ask the office to explain each charge, as the patient in KFF Health News' story did. Source: KFF Health News¹⁰

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Who decides these lists?

MedlinePlus explains that the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force publishes recommended screenings and updates them as needed. Source: MedlinePlus¹

What happens at a checkup

Your blood pressure, height, weight and BMI are checked at every exam, and you may be asked about mood, diet, exercise, alcohol, tobacco and drugs, seat belts and smoke detectors, and your medicines. Source: MedlinePlus¹

Take it with you

Printable card Download card (PDF)

Sources

MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) Health screenings for men ages 18 to 39
MedlinePlus (National Library of Medicine) Health screenings for women ages 18 to 39
HealthCare.gov Preventive care benefits for adults
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention What vaccines are recommended for you
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adult immunization schedule by age (current under the March 16, 2026 court order)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines (updated Nov. 20, 2025)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Oral health tips for adults
HealthCare.gov Dental coverage in the Marketplace
Health Resources and Services Administration What is a health center?
KFF Health News When that supposedly free annual physical generates a bill

Lesson B9.1 · Last checked October 3, 2026 against the sources listed.

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