– The doctor is here. Are you ready to make the most out of your appointment?

To invest in your long-term well-being, it is important to build a good relationship with your primary-care doctor. You might not know that there are steps you can take that will make you a better patient and help you get the best out of your doctor-patient relationship.

“Start with scheduling an annual checkup,” says Donna M. Perisee, M.D., PhD. of Humana, a leading health-and-well-being company. “This is how your doctor gets to know you and your unique medical history. From there you can collaborate on a health plan that includes preventive care as well as a treatment plan.”

Medicare will cover your annual costs if you are enrolled. “wellness”The majority of visits are covered in full. An extensive exam allows your primary-care doctor to detect potential serious conditions early. Your chances of living a longer, healthier life are higher if you can identify and treat problems early.

The staff at the practice and your doctor may be able help you with important services like setting nutrition and exercise goals and scheduling preventative services like flu shots or cancer screenings.

Humana’s Dr. Perisee suggests these things to maximize your visits with your doctor.

* Always bring all of your medicines to your office visits for review. To keep them all together, you can use an open-top bag with a zipper.

* Think about and write down any medical concerns you have, including how long you have been experiencing them. Please try to be as detailed as possible.

* Mark down dates or bring a calendar to show the frequency of problems, such as headaches, stomach, muscle or joint pain problems.

* Try to arrive for each office visit 10 minutes before to get checked in and update any necessary paperwork.

* Inform your primary-care doctor of any labs or medical tests from other doctor’s visits to allow your primary-care doctor to better coordinate your care.

You can get the best out of your 2018 Medicare plan by investing in your relationship to your primary-care doctor. Your doctor will help you coordinate any specialist visits or complete your annual screenings.

The doctor is here. Are you ready for the doctor?