Health check-ups make it possible to prevent and detect many pathologies as early as possible. These more or less complete assessments consist of a set of medical examinations to assess a person’s state of health. How to register for a health check-up? How does it take place?
A health check: what is it?
A health check – also called a “check-up” – is a set of medical examinations carried out intending to detect an illness in people who do not experience particular symptoms. It is covered by Health Insurance.
These preventive medical follow-ups make it possible to assess a person’s state of health and decide on early treatment when a previously unsuspected illness is detected. Let’s not forget that a treatment protocol decided at the start of an illness is more effective than if it is implemented late.
Who is affected by a health check?
The health check is aimed at all French people aged 15 and over. To benefit from it, you simply need to be affiliated with the general Social Security service. The beneficiaries of policyholders can also claim free health check-ups, generally every five years or more frequently in the event of fragile health.
More generally, policyholders of other Health Insurance plans can be granted, upon request, support allowing them to benefit from a free health check-up.
Priority insured persons
Certain policyholders remain a priority:
- beneficiaries of an AT (Work Accident) pension;
- the disabled and the disabled;
- people in precarious situations;
- seniors aged 60 to 75;
- young people aged 16 to 25;
- “inactive” people who have been exposed to dust and asbestos during their professional careers.
How to benefit from a health check-up?
To benefit from a free health check-up, you should contact your affiliation fund. A specific form to complete is given to the insured who must indicate:
- his identity ;
- his address ;
- its registration number;
- the desired appointment dates and times.
He can also register his beneficiaries interested in a complete check-up. This form must be given to the affiliation office.
A few days later, the insured received a summons as well as a medical questionnaire. The patient can claim financial compensation if his absence for a health check results in a loss of salary. He can also request reimbursement of travel costs to get to the exam center. All they need to do is contact their fund to find out about the essential procedures.
The process of a health check-up
The insured person attends the appointment previously arranged with the examination center where various investigations will be carried out by a multidisciplinary team. It is very important to be fasting and have the medical questionnaire with you.
What exams are performed?
The health check generally lasts between 2.5 and 3 hours.
He understands :
- a complete clinical examination carried out by a doctor;
- a biometric assessment (Body Mass Index, weight, height);
- arterial measurement;
- blood samples for biological examination;
- urine samples for a urinary examination as well as a “Hémocult” test.
Other examinations may be performed, such as:
- a gynecological examination;
- a dental exam;
- a measurement of visual and hearing acuity;
- breathing control (spirometry);
- an electrocardiogram;
- a lung x-ray;
- a memory test.
Some insured persons are seen by a dietitian. All these examinations are adapted during the assessment to the situation and/or age of each insured person, hence the importance of having the medical questionnaire previously provided by the center.
Health check-up assessment: the first conclusions
An individual interview is planned at the end of the check-up, during which the doctor delivers his initial conclusions to the insured. Depending on the results of the health check, he may suggest additional examinations or even a new appointment. If the insured person is a smoker, smoking cessation assistance will be offered. At the end of the health check, a snack is generally served to the insured.
Why do a regular health check-up?
Since health checks can be carried out regularly, they represent a good means of monitoring and controlling people who do not present any particular symptoms. Therefore, any health check-up is a means of early detection of an underlying disease which, if not treated early enough, can worsen.
This is, for example, the case:
- cancers;
- diabetes;
- obesity;
- cardiovascular diseases;
- and many other pathologies.
Taking stock of your state of health at different times in your life is essential so that the necessary measures can be taken as soon as possible as soon as a pathology is suspected or detected. This is why it is important to request a health check from your health insurance fund for yourself and your family.
+ There are no comments
Add yours