Well-Child Checkups Cover Sports Physical Requirements and More
5/3/2024
Tracy Clay, Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner, Aspirus Health
As families look
ahead to summer fun, Aspirus Health reminds parents that summer is a great time
to keep kids on track with well-child visits. And for students participating in
sports or other activities next school year, well-child checkups satisfy sports
physical requirements.
“Summertime is a
great time to get your kid in for their checkup,” says Tracy Clay,
Family Medicine Nurse Practitioner with Aspirus Health. “They don’t have to
take any time away from school and can also get a head start on preparing for
the next school year.”
Well-child checkups
satisfy WIAA requirements, while also providing a comprehensive assessment of
your child’s overall wellness – including a more in-depth full-body evaluation
and discussion of any concerns, including sleep, diet, overall growth & development,
and mental health. Immunizations may also be administered.
Clay adds, “Regular
checkups allow us to develop a plan for the whole child, checking that they’re
meeting the physical and developmental goals for their age and addressing any
individual concerns.”
Even if your child
is not an athlete, it’s vital they have an annual well-child checkup, which is
covered by most health insurance plans.
At their
appointment, whether a Well-Child Checkup or a Sports Physical, student
athletes need to bring the WIAA physical card provided by their school. The
form must be filled out and signed by both the child and a legal prior to the
appointment, and a legal guardian should accompany the child. The appointment
includes a musculoskeletal assessment, so the child should wear shorts and a
comfortable T-shirt. If they wear glasses or contacts, the child should bring
them along for the eye exam.
Appointments may be
scheduled in the MyAspirus app, online at aspirus.org, or by calling your
Aspirus clinic. If your child does not already have an Aspirus medical
provider, the Aspirus Welcome Center can help find the perfect provider for
them at 715-847-2613 and schedule their first appointment and have medical
records transferred if needed.
For more information
about vaccine recommendations based on your age, contact your primary care
provider. For more information, visit
aspirus.org.
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