Yearly checkups allow you and your primary care provider to build a trusted relationship around your health — whether that’s physical, mental or emotional health. During this annual doctor’s visit, you and your provider might discuss your:
- Current health status
- Immunizations
- Health history
- Potential health risks
- Preventive screenings you may need
- Personal health goals
- Current prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins or minerals you’re taking
This annual wellness appointment is also the time to bring up any concerns or changes you’ve noticed so that your provider can help you take the next steps in care. If you’re a parent, a yearly child checkup can also count as a sports physical, but a sports physical is not a substitute for a checkup.
Many health insurance plans cover one yearly checkup. Contact your insurance provider to learn what’s available to you.
Getting a sports physical is often required of athletes before the season begins. Many family medicine providers are trained in assessing and establishing a baseline in athletic physical health. If an injury occurs, the physical can help navigate progress during recovery.
Staying up to date on your immunizations is an important step you can take to prevent illness. Your primary care provider can inform you of what vaccines you need, and when planned ahead of time, can easily be completed in your yearly checkup.
Many health insurance plans cover some immunizations. Contact your insurance provider to learn what’s available to you.
Some diseases require ongoing medical attention and lifestyle changes. Avera family medicine experts can help by prescribing treatments including medications, providing insight on effective lifestyle changes, and supervising progress under the direction of specialized experts. Chronic conditions include, but aren’t limited to:
- Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
- Asthma
- Arthritis
- Diabetes type 1 and 2
- Crohn’s disease
- High blood pressure
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Osteoporosis
- Post-surgical care
- Weight management
Regularly scheduled, preventive screenings can help detect chronic conditions and cancers — such as breast, colon, lung and prostate — in early, treatable stages. Your internal medicine provider can help you stay on top of these important tests.
Many health insurance plans cover preventive screenings. Contact your insurance provider to learn what’s available to you.
Avera St. Mary’s Hospital offers 3D mammograms. Mammograms are an important health screening for women ages 40 and older. Request an appointment at this location or call 605-224-3369.
Location: 1st floor of the main hospital
On our hospital campus, we offer innovative imaging technology; CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds are available for clinical staff to order when needed for patients. Experts conduct comfortable and quick imaging, so you receive an accurate diagnosis which will determine the right treatment for your health.
Where you receive this care may depend on the imaging needed. It may occur in our clinic or in the main hospital building. Staff will direct you to the correct location.
Right inside our facility, you have access to a wide range of laboratory services that contribute to accurate diagnoses of medical conditions. Expert specialists conduct safe and reliable lab testing, helping you and your provider get the results you need to start an effective and personalized treatment plan.
Location: 2nd floor
We have multiple pharmacy options for our patients.
- Walk-In and Drive-Up Pharmacy: Our on-site pharmacy right inside this building in Pierre, SD, provides a full range of prescription medications available for pickup for your convenience.
- 24/7 Script Center Pharmacy Kiosk: Located inside the main hospital lobby, the kiosk dispenses medications for patients signed up for this service. Ask your Avera pharmacist or call 605-224-7334 if you have questions or want to transfer your prescriptions to the kiosk. After you’re set up, you’ll visit the kiosk, enter your information on screen, and then receive the dispensed medication. Scripts are loaded in the kiosk at 4 PM each day.
- Specialty Medications: If your care requires a specialty prescription not available in our on-campus pharmacy, local staff can connect you with the Avera Specialty Pharmacy in Sioux Falls to fill and ship your medicines.
