Regular Well Visits (or Check-ups)
It is important to take your child to their primary care provider (PCP) for yearly check-ups (also called well-child visits). A PCP is the provider your child sees for all their checkups. Regular well visits allow the PCP to check your child’s physical and mental health and address any health concerns early on. As an HPSM member, you can get these yearly check-ups at no cost.
Well-visits put your child on the path to a healthy life. So call your child’s PCP to make an appointment today!
If your child does not have their own PCP and you need help selecting one, call HPSM Member Services. You can also select their PCP online using the Member Portal at any time.
Your child should have well-visits during these timeframes:
- Birth to three ears old: Visits at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 30 and 36 months
- From three years old and older: Visits once per year
Well-visits are vital
Take your child in for a well-visit even if they are healthy! Below are tips for what to expect at your child’s well visits based on their age and information to help you prepare for each visit.
During a well visit − from birth to three years old
Your child’s PCP helps you and your child by:
- Giving you a chance to ask questions about your child and discuss any health concerns you may have.
- Tracking your child’s growth, including weight and height.
- Tracking your child’s development. This includes asking questions about how your child plays, learns, speaks, acts, moves and responds to other people and things. Your child’s PCP can also explain what you can expect your child to be able to do in between the current and next visit.
- Checking in about daily activities based on their age (feeding, peeing, pooping and sleeping).
- Giving needed screenings based on your child’s age. This can include checking your child’s hearing, vision and/or if they have been exposed to lead or tuberculosis (an infection of the lungs).
- Examining your child’s body.
- Informing you about any health concerns they have and making a plan with you to address them. This may include referring your child to specialists if needed.
- Giving vaccines your child is due for.
- Sharing tips to help your child stay healthy. This includes talking with you about healthy eating, exercise, safety, and caring for their teeth and gums.
- Seeing how you are doing and offering to connect you to resources for parents and families.
During a well visit − from four to 12 years old
Your child’s PCP helps you and your child by:
- Giving you a chance to ask questions or share any concerns you may have about your child.
- Updating your child’s health history and examining your child.
- Tracking your child’s growth and development.
- Offering health screenings and vaccines.
- Discussing any health concerns and making a plan together to address them. This may include treatment or referrals to specialists as needed.
- Sharing tips and advice to help keep your child healthy.
- Make sure you have your child’s HPSM ID card. If you lose the card, request a new one.
- A parent and/or guardian will need to be present with your child during their well visit.
- Use HPSM’s Ride Benefit if you don’t have other transportation.
- Write down a list of questions or concerns you have about your child’s health and bring them to your visit. Some important questions to ask are:
- What screenings or tests does my child need?
- Is my child up to date on their vaccines?
- What skills or developmental milestones should my child reach next?
- Is my child’s weight and growth appropriate for their age?
- How much screen time is okay for my child?
- I noticed my child often does _____: is this typical for their age?
- I have seen these changes in my child’s mood: should I be concerned?
- I noticed this change on my child’s skin: should I be concerned?
- Bring any information that you think your child’s PCP should be aware of, such as:
- Your child’s vaccination record.
- Any after-visit summaries from recent urgent care, emergency room or hospital visits.
- Forms you need your child’s PCP to complete.
Schedule your child’s next well visit before you leave the PCP’s office. Ask for a reminder card and put the visit date in your calendar.
Track your baby's well visits and growth milestones
This one-page table will help you keep track of your baby's well visits and growth milestones for the first three years of their life. It lets you know when your baby is due for their next well visit with their PCP. To get a print copy mailed to you, call the Health Promotion Unit at 650-616-2165.