It is recommended that children receive regular well-child checkups to help parents stay on top of immunizations, health screenings, and a child’s overall picture of health.
These visits, like your own annual physical, are often 100% covered by your health insurance. However, unlike an annual physical, these well-child visits occur more than once per year – at least for young children.
If you are expecting your first child, an important aspect in preparing for a baby is finding a primary care provider for them. After delivery at the hospital, the staff will likely ask about getting a follow-up visit scheduled for your baby a few days after discharge. It is best to find a provider for your child beforehand so you are prepared for this question at the hospital.
You do not necessarily need to select a pediatric clinic for your child. At Integracare, our primary care providers see patients of all ages, so an entire family can see the same provider if you choose. You may find this to be the case with other local providers as well.
If you think your existing provider could be a good fit for everyone in your family, give their office a call and inquire if the provider in question can offer well-child check-ups just like the Integracare medical team can.
What ages are Well-Child Checkups?
Infants and toddlers are recommended to have well-child checkups frequently, with visits becoming yearly after age 3.
The Minnesota Department of Health publishes a chart showing what is completed at each visit and when the visits should be scheduled. Your child’s clinic will also be able to advise you on this information.
Infant’s Checkups: Between 0 and 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months
Toddler’s Checkups: 15 months, 18 months, 24 months, 30 months, 3 years
Children’s Checkups: Yearly after age 3
What Happens at a Well-Child Checkup?
Well-child checkups are complete physical exams to assess your child’s development. This is also a great opportunity to ask your provider questions about new changes in your child’s development.
These visits are also the best time for your child to have any recommended immunizations you elect for them to have.
Should your child ever be sick, these regular well-child checkups while they are healthy allow them to become familiar with their provider and the clinic without the added stress of being currently ill.
For older children, a well-child checkup can double as a sports physical that is required for some school sports programs.
Where can My Kids be Seen for Well-Child Checkups?
Many primary care clinics offer well-child checkups, you do not necessarily need to take your child to a pediatric clinic.
Integracare Clinic in Sartell is a primary care clinic for patients of all ages, from newborns just released from the hospital to their great-grandparents.
The most important thing is that you find a provider that you trust and are comfortable with. In some cases, the provider you already personally see can be a great option. Many central Minnesota families choose to have all their family’s care handled by one Integracare provider whom they have built a great relationship with.