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Q: I stopped going to my primary care doctor during the pandemic and I feel fine. Why should I still continue to get primary care?

A: It was necessary, though difficult, to hold back from many forms of primary care during the initial stages of the pandemic. Today, there may be long wait times to get an appointment.

But it is highly recommended to see a primary care doctor at least once a year if you are over the age of 50 — even if you feel fine. You should seek care more frequently if you have any kind of health disorder that requires more frequent monitoring, such as diabetes.

Primary care is important for many reasons including: monitoring for conditions that need additional health screenings as you age; helping maintain a healthy lifestyle; keeping prescription medications renewed; immunizing against communicable diseases; managing mental and cognitive health; avoiding interactions among drugs and supplements, and between both and food; and assisting with continuing independent living as we age, by managing additional impairments.

Q: What should I discuss with a primary care provider at my appointment?

A: First of all, be patient! Due to the pandemic, it may take a while to get an appointment, so plan accordingly.

Gather your past medical history, medication list (including supplements and things you take over-the-counter), insurance card, ID, a list of concerns you may have to share, and any health screenings, vaccines or monitoring you may have had done. When you go to your appointment, share these with your doctor.

He or she will likely ask you standard health questions. Keep in mind that there are no “correct” answers during these appointments. The best information to give is accurate information about your current health, and goals about your health. If you have a condition that requires an appointment with a specialist, your doctor will let you know.

Q: What screenings should someone over 50 years old have?

A: It varies, depending on age, sex and other variables. Consult this web page
for a list of common screenings: bit.ly/ over50screenings.

Q: What vaccines are routine for people over age 50?

A:  You can receive many vaccines from your doctor, but they are also available at your local pharmacist or vaccine clinic.

• Annual flu vaccine (high-dose or adjuvanted if 65 or older)
• Shingrix (shingles shot), age 50 or above. This is a two-dose series, two to six months apart.
• Pneumonia vaccine (Pneumovax 23), age 65 (sooner with risk factors).

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about travel vaccines if traveling internationally.

Q: What if I cannot afford to see a doctor or these screening services?

A: There are many options available to you. Medicaid is available to Virginians who make under $18,775 in 2022.

Medicare becomes available to all people at age 65 and older and under a certain list of conditions for those younger.

There are also free and sliding scale fee-based clinics in the Richmond area that are available to low-income individuals and their families. Some require patients to be uninsured, but some are available regardless of insurance status.

Most screenings are now free under Medicare and Medicaid (if you meet eligibility requirements), as required under the Affordable Care Act.

• Blood pressure, blood glucose, and sometimes blood cholesterol can be provided free of charge by your pharmacist.
• For women’s health, PAP smears and mammograms can be provided free of charge to low-income women at women’s health clinics.
• A yearly physical along with a fall-prevention screening and a depression screening can be incorporated into one visit and provided for free through Medicaid and at reduced cost through free and sliding scale health clinics.
• Many cities have clinics that provide free prostate exams for low-income individuals.
• Every year, there are charity mobile dental clinics that travel around the country and provide low-cost dental care. Dental schools can also provide low-cost dental care.

Low-cost colonoscopies, lung screenings, and bone density studies can be hard to come by without insurance. Check with your doctor for assistance in finding options.

For vaccines, local vaccination clinics may have free vaccination days for uninsured individuals. And Medicare part B offers flu and pneumonia vaccines for free.

Timothy Meinhardt is a fourth-year doctor of pharmacy candidate at VCU School of Pharmacy. Originally from Virginia Beach, he graduated from VCU with a B.S. in chemistry with a focus on biochemistry and biomedical research.