I Can't Remember the Last Time I Had a Checkup

Need Help Prioritizing Your Health and Wellbeing? You’ve Come to the Right Place

Of course, you want to take care of yourself. But then there’s that urgent work call, that mountain of laundry, and the endless pings from the neighborhood group chat — all of which makes it easy for your health and wellness to fall to the bottom (or, let’s be real, off) of your to-do list.

If this is you, you’re in good company. In fact, 70% of millennial women struggle to make their health a top priority.  But we’re here to help.

Figure Out Which Checkups and Screenings You Actually Need

You don’t need to wait until something feels wrong to see a doctor. Preventative care isn’t just about avoiding illness. It’s also about building a foundation for your future health. You know this, your mom knows this, your friends’ moms know this — and, yet, almost half of women don’t get the preventive care they need. 

Perhaps you aren’t sure which appointments to make — and when? You're not alone. Nearly 6 in 10 women aren’t confident they know what screenings they need. So let’s fix that:

• Use our free Don’t Wait tool. Simply enter your age, and we’ll tell you what appointments you should be making — and with what frequency.

• Identify possible providers. Go back to our Don’t Wait tool and use the Book Now buttons to find docs in your area who accept your insurance. Or, ask your friends, family members, and colleagues for their recommendations.

• Do your research. Google your potential docs to read reviews, articles quoting them, and any articles or posts they’ve written. You might also want to search their names on Facebook and X — two platforms where patients tend to share bad experiences.

Get Your Health on the Calendar

So you’ve identified who you want to see. That’s huge. Now, you need to make a plan to see them — which, we know, is easier said than done. But perhaps this stat will propel you to pick up the phone or book online: Women who regularly see a doctor live, on average, two years longer. Meaning, blocking time now can pay off big later. Here are some tips to help you do that:

• Batch appointments. If possible, schedule your appointments on the same day — particularly if they’re in the same area. That way, you’ll take fewer days off from work, and you’ll be more likely to keep both appointments.  

• Put “health admin” on your schedule. Set a recurring 15- or 30-minute window at the start of each month, during which you can tackle any health tasks — whether that’s booking appointments, following up on test results, requesting prescription refills, or dealing with insurance (here’s what to say if your claim is denied) .

Be flexible. If your doctor doesn’t have an appointment for the next six months, ask about other options: Is there a waiting list for cancelled appointments? Would you be able to get in quicker if you saw a PA, a nurse practitioner, or another doc at the practice? Also, check your benefits to see if telehealth appointments are covered. While it won’t be comprehensive enough for an annual physical, it can help if you have pressing questions. 

Make the Most of Your 20 Minutes 

Yes, you read that right. The average primary care appointment is about 20 minutes, according to one study, which…isn’t a lot of time. So here’s how to make it count:

• Show up prepared. Of course, you should bring your insurance card, a list of current meds (including over-the-counter ones) and supplements, and any relevant medical records. (Bonus points for knowing your family health history.) But if you have a specific concern, like, say, a weird rash, you should keep a log of your symptoms prior to the appointment — including when they started, if they get better or worse at certain times of day, and if any medicines or treatments seem to help. 

• Come with an agenda. Sorry for the additional homework, but before your appointment, write down your top 3 concerns, in order of priority — and share that with your provider at the beginning of your appointment, so they can manage the time accordingly and address what matters most. Plus, one more list you should jot down in advance (again, apologies): Any questions you want answered (get some inspo here). Even if you tell yourself you’ll remember what to ask, you may not.

• Be vocal. If you’re confused or concerned about a diagnosis or treatment, ask your doctor to explain it. Some other questions to consider: What happens if I do nothing? What lifestyle changes might help? (Also, if your doctor doesn’t understand or dismisses your concerns, refer to this script of things you can say.)

• Make sure you’re on the same page. Before you leave, confirm the plan out loud to make sure nothing got lost in translation. Also ask what happens next and how to communicate with the doctor if you have questions. Should you send a message through the portal? Will the doctor call with test results? 

Build Your Long-Term Health Plan

The bad news? Preventative care isn’t a one-and-done thing. The good news? After you've done it once, you can (more or less) rinse and repeat. Here are a few tips to make health maintenance as routine as possible:

• Set it and forget it. Always book your next annual before leaving the current one. You might need to reschedule later — but at least you’ve got something locked in.

• Add calendar alerts. As anyone who has ever tried to book a checkup will tell you, sometimes it can be months until your primary care physician’s next available appointment. So set reminders at least three months out to avoid scrambling.

• Get an accountability partner. Because, let’s be honest, sometimes a quick “just booked my pap” text from a friend is the nudge you need.

Want us to be your accountability partner? We’d be honored. We’ve got your back over on Skimm+.