Start the New Year Right - Choose a Health Goal and Get Your Numbers Checked

Happy New Year! Like many people, you may be trying to achieve certain goals in 2017.  You’re not alone. Millions of American’s make New Year’s resolutions from trying to save money to volunteering more. In fact, it’s a practice which goes back to Ancient Babylonia and Rome.

The most popular resolutions today are health-related, such as losing weight, eating healthier, getting more exercise and quitting smoking. Here’s one to add to your list: take part in a wellness program.

If you’re a member of an MDVIP-affiliated practice, this is easy. You are probably already taking part in the MDVIP Wellness Program, which includes comprehensive, advanced screenings and diagnostic tests that are not typically covered by commercial insurance or Medicare. (If you haven’t taken part in the Wellness Program yet or are overdue for your appointment, call your MDVIP-affiliated doctor today.)

The results can give you a clearer picture of your health. With numbers, you can set concrete health goals—which is one of the keys to successful New Year’s resolutions.

“You can’t improve your health unless you know your current health status,” says Dr. Bernard Kaminetsky, medical director for MDVIP. “Testing helps identify those areas of concern that could lead to bigger issues. But what you do with those test results is what matters.”

You and your MDVIP-affiliated doctor will discuss your test results in detail, and together, you will develop an individualized action plan that will include next steps, how progress will be measured and a time frame for follow up.

If you’re not a member of an MDVIP-affiliated practice, getting an annual physical or wellness exam is still worth the effort. Medicare and commercial insurance cover certain preventive services.

An annual wellness visit is also a good time to strengthen your doctor-patient relationship. Studies show that patient outcomes improve when there is good communication between physician and patient.

“We realized years ago that the doctor-patient relationship is paramount to good, quality health care,” Dr. Kaminetsky says. “With a better understanding of a patient’s health, a doctor is able to stay on top of risks by ordering standard and advanced screenings and tests, not simply a default panel of bloodwork and an EKG. Our outcome studies indicate that our model works.”

Starting off the New Year with a health goal in mind is a good idea. But get your numbers checked and talk to a physician about how you can improve them.

MDVIP-affiliated physicians focus on managing wellness programs, building strong doctor-patient relationships and helping their patients improve their numbers. Don’t have an MDVIP-affiliated doctor? MDVIP has a nationwide network of physicians. Find one near you and begin your partnership in health.