Whether you’re in Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, or Brampton, knowing what’s included in an annual physical exam and what counts as preventive care can help you plan your healthcare better. While OHIP covers many essential services, there are also important limits that patients need to understand.
This guide explains what’s included in yearly checkups, what isn’t, and how family doctors across Ontario approach preventive care.
What is an annual physical exam?
An annual physical exam is a comprehensive health checkup that allows your family doctor to:
- Review your medical history
- Check vital signs such as blood pressure and heart rate
- Conduct a physical examination
- Order laboratory tests (e.g., cholesterol, blood sugar)
- Provide lifestyle counseling for diet, exercise, and smoking cessation
- Update vaccines and preventive screenings
In Ontario, family doctors focus on preventive care to catch issues early, reducing the need for costly hospital visits.
What OHIP covers for physical exams
OHIP covers medically necessary services, which includes most preventive care provided by your family doctor. Examples include:
- Blood pressure and heart checks
- Cancer screenings (Pap tests, mammograms, colorectal screening)
- Immunizations (e.g., flu shots, childhood vaccines)
- Bloodwork ordered by your physician
- Diabetes screening (HbA1c testing)
- Counseling for smoking cessation and weight management
If your doctor identifies symptoms or risks during a checkup, OHIP also covers follow-up visits and referrals to specialists.
What OHIP does not cover
There are services often mistaken for “covered” that OHIP does not fully include:
- Annual physicals for healthy, asymptomatic adults (since 2013, OHIP does not cover full annual exams for patients without risk factors)
- Insurance and employment physicals
- Driver’s medical exams
- Cosmetic medical exams or elective tests
- Non-essential bloodwork (if not ordered for a medical reason)
Many family doctors now provide a focused health review instead of the traditional “head-to-toe” annual physical, unless medical conditions justify it.
Preventive care and screenings by age group
Children and youth
- Growth and development checks
- Immunizations (covered under Ontario’s routine schedule)
- Vision and hearing screening
Adults (18–64)
- Blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes screening
- Cervical cancer screening (ages 25–69)
- Breast cancer screening (ages 50–74)
- Colorectal cancer screening (ages 50–74)
Seniors (65+)
- Fall risk assessments
- Bone health and osteoporosis checks
- Medication reviews
- Annual flu and pneumonia vaccines
Preventive care in each city
Burlington
Joseph Brant Hospital’s Wellness and Screening Centre supports family doctors with cancer screening and heart health programs.
Oakville
Halton Healthcare offers diabetes prevention clinics, which family physicians often refer patients to after routine checkups.
Mississauga
Trillium Health Partners operates Preventive Health Programs, including cardiovascular risk assessments.
Hamilton
Hamilton Health Sciences provides population-based cancer screening programs, working closely with local family doctors.
Milton
Milton District Hospital offers preventive care through community health workshops, especially for diabetes and heart health.
Brampton
William Osler Health System supports family physicians with chronic disease prevention clinics, such as for diabetes and hypertension.
Out-of-pocket preventive care options
Some services not covered by OHIP can be accessed privately, including:
- Executive health checkups (often $500–$2000)
- Full annual physicals for peace of mind
- Comprehensive allergy testing
- Lifestyle and wellness blood panels
Patients in Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, and Brampton can access these through private family clinics and executive health programs.
Patient tips for preventive care
- Ask your doctor which screenings are covered at your age
- Keep a copy of your immunization records
- Schedule regular checkups even if you feel healthy
- Don’t delay cancer screenings – many are life-saving when caught early
- Consider private options if you want extra testing not included under OHIP
Conclusion
Preventive care saves lives and reduces hospital visits. While OHIP covers medically necessary screenings and checkups, patients should know the limits of coverage. Family doctors across Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Milton, and Brampton remain the first point of contact for physicals, cancer screenings, vaccines, and chronic disease prevention.
If you don’t yet have a family doctor, register with doktr.ca to be matched with a physician currently accepting patients in your city.