Men fear not: Going to doctor is good for you
Start with an Annual Wellness Visit.
We don’t want to put all men in the same group. But many men often don’t want to ask for directions. Men, too, often don’t want to visit the doctor.
But today, asking for directions is as easy as speaking to your phone. Going to the doctor is almost as easy these days, thanks to virtual visits.
Yet compared to women, men still don’t take as much of an active role in their health care. In fact, their lack of routine medical care is one of the reasons women live longer than men. Studies show that women are 33% more likely to go to the doctor than men.
So why do men stay away from the doctor? “Many think they'll get better on their own. They don’t want to ‘bother’ a doctor for something that might be nothing,” said Joshua Jacobs, MD, Optum. “They might also avoid the doctor because they see it as a sign of weakness.”
But the main reason most men put off a doctor's visit is fear. No one wants to hear bad news about an illness.
For example, if men have trouble peeing or getting an erection, they may think it’s just temporary. They may decide that it could get better, and not see their doctor.
But if they made an appointment, a simple exam could find that the issues are due to prostate cancer. When found early, prostate cancer is much easier to care for.
Once men do get into the exam room, they may not share information about their health. Unlike women, men find it harder to open up, even with their doctor.
“We’ve heard it all and no one needs to be embarrassed to share information about any health issue. The more we know, the better we’ll be able to treat the problem,” Dr. Jacobs said.
Prompt medical care can make a big difference. See your doctor at your Annual Wellness Visit.
Will Medicare cover an Annual Wellness Visit?
Original Medicare covers the Annual Wellness Visit at 100% of the Medicare-approved amount when you get the service from a provider who accepts Medicare. You pay nothing (no deductible or coinsurance).
Medicare Advantage plans must cover Annual Wellness Visits without applying deductibles, copays, or coinsurance when you see a network provider and meet Medicare’s rules for the service.
Source:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or a substitute for professional health care. You should consult an appropriate health care professional for your specific needs.