I just read an article on RTSinfo that says that “contrary to popular belief, it’s not necessary to have an annual health check-up if you’re in good health.” The article instead recommends having a check-up every three years.
As for me (M, 44), I’ve only seen my doctor twice since my teenage years. I’ve only had one full health check-up, before Covid, about five or six years ago. Am I an exception? Am I putting myself in danger and risking missing the detection of a disease?
If most people go to the doctor at least once a year, I now understand better why we pay such high health insurance premiums. As for me, I’ve never received a single cent in reimbursement from my insurance…
https://www.rts.ch/info/sante/2025/article/bilan-de-sante-annuel-mythe-ou-necessite-un-medecin-repond-29070697.html
Posted by kottelat
15 Comments
I would argue (with your first sentence/quote) that you don’t actually know if you are in good health if you don’t have check-ups
> I’ve only seen my doctor twice since my teenage years
not everyone is as lucky as you
Going for a yearly check up with your primary care physician is good preventative care and does NOT lead to high health insurance premiums. To answer your question, yes you are putting yourself at risk as you get older.
Those high health insurance premiums are due to poor regulations, corporation greed, and individuals not getting regular check ups and then seeking care when they are most sick.
From my experience here in CH, people barely go to the doctor and preventative care is shunned (e.g., flu and covid shots free only with a prescription).
Honestly, it is like the US system in CH except worse because at there insurance companies cover most of the cost of preventative care like yearly check ups and annual flu and Covid vaccines.
I love how my doctor hisses and runs away when i bring apples.
No but seriously. Go to a doctor when you can’t handle the issue.
Before i was 30 i practically gone to the doctor once in five years. After 30 it was like every second or third year for a short checkup. Now with 40, still every second or third year.
The above of course is when you feel well and perfectly fine. But i think with 40 is a bigger checkup something reasonable. With checkup i mean testicular cancer and the things never checked before if possible and reasonable.
For me it led to a diagnosis of a liver cirhosis in second grade. (Well that sucks, but treatable… i could go more into a tiny detail but can’t say too much about it. I can just say, there is promising medication coming eventually in 5-6 years which is in a long term study. That does not mean you should not overthink your lifestyle. Definitely something to change too. So be nice to your liver and it will be nice to you.)
I actually don’t go to check-ups cause I am scared to hear that I have health issues. I prefer to live in ignorance as long as I feel well.
Annual physical every year for me. At last physical doc felt a lump in my neck and asked “how long has that lump been there”. 10 days later I had an MRI and was told I have cancer. This was later confirmed with blood test and biopsy. I’m now done with treatment and my prospects for full cure are quite high because we found it early. I was otherwise healthy. Your mileage may vary.
Two last times I saw my doctor were when I moved to a new town and had to change doctor. They ith /both said they can take new patients but like to meet at least once. In both cases that was the only appointment, and anyway now I have this insurance model where I don’t even have a doctor anymore and I don’t even care.
I did ses other doctors when needed, but anyway with 2.5k franchise I usually estimate the cost upfront and go without insurance or family doctor being involved.
>Am I an exception?
I’ve never been to a doctor since I was a kid…
Go to a GP. They will normally tell you how often.
Most important regular checks: colon cancer (absurd high prevention rate) every 5 years and prostate after 45 yo or so.
No need for a yearly one unless they find something.
Same, almost never went to a doctor (M35). I don’t even have a family doctor. I once did a healthcheck at Medbase where my experience was rather bad. A few weeks ago I had to go to the emergency room because of an UTI. They told me I have to discuss this problems with my family doctor. As I don’t have one I searched for a few in my town. Most of them said they won’t take patients and the rest said I have to apply. I mean wtf… Now I finally got an appointment for a introduction and get to know talk in January.
There are a few people in the comments here who get regular check-ups. But what do you check? Blood values? Or is it just a conversation?
It’s the opposite. I would argue that the reason premiums are so high is because a lot of people have OP’s attitude and don’t go to the doctor for preventative check ups. It’s much cheaper to treat conditions if they’re found early!
you can do lots of checkups and still miss plenty of things.
It’s a good idea to get your blood pressure checked, your sugar levels and a few other things. Retinal tears could also start happening, so you could go to the ophthalmologist as well if your shortsighted. Melanomas can happen, so you should probably see a dermatologist as well etc.
Yet somehow _no_ medical professional whatsoever has _ever_ mentioned it to me that regular checkups are normal
As someone who has to visit their doctor frequently, I’m curiously reading all the differing opinions on this matter, interesting question