A lot can change in the course of a year. Even if it isn’t required for school, sports, or employment, a routine physical is a great way to stay on top of your health and to get advice from a clinician. So, let’s get physical! Yancey County Health Department is here to help by providing a variety of exam options. Read on for more information on physicals and what YCHD can do for you.

What can I expect from a physical examination?

Exams vary based on the type of physical required. Typically, they will include the following:

• Vital signs
  These include your blood pressure, heart rate, respiration rate, and temperature. Your clinician may also screen your cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

• Lifestyle questions
  Your clinician will ask you about your lifestyle. Common topics include smoking habits, alcohol use, sexual health, diet, exercise, and vaccination status. You should also expect questions about your family’s medical history. This part of the exam is a good time to bring up any health concerns you may have.

• Physical exam
  This is when your clinician will take a closer look at your body by physically examining your:
  Head and neck

  • Lungs

  • Heart

  • Abdomen

  • Nails and skin

  • Reflexes, balance, and muscle strength

Sometimes a “required” physical will include specific tests or screenings, plus a form for the clinician to complete.

You may also have additional lab tests if your clinician detects a potential medical concern or wants to be more thorough. These could include a complete blood count, chemistry panel, and/or urinalysis.

What are the different types of physical exams that YCHD offers?

When it comes to physicals,YCHD offers a variety. Here’s a breakdown of our most requested options:

• Annual Physical Exam
  This is a general examination to keep on top of health concerns, bring new concerns to light, and stay in tune with your health. Annual pediatric physicals are particularly helpful in tracking a child’s development year over year.

• School Physical (K-12)
  Physicals ensure that students are fit to engage in the activities that take place at school. They can also shed light on any situation or condition that may impact a student’s academic progress. Some schools will require students to complete an annual physical. Others may only need a physical for newly enrolled students.

• Sports Physical (K-12)
  These examinations will assess a child’s ability to take part in the activities involved. Many organized sports teams, summer camps, and after-school programs will require a physical as part of the child’s enrollment.

• Coming soon!:

• DOT Commercial Driver’s License Physicals
  Drivers of commercial motor vehicles must obtain regular physical examinations under federal law. These will detect any potential hindrances that could impact the driver’s ability to safely operate commercial vehicles.

Why should you get a physical exam?

There are lots of excuses people make to avoid getting a physical, and we’ve heard them all. But as we’ve outlined above, a physical is an invaluable way to care for your health. Here are three quick reasons to sum up why you should jump at the opportunity to get a physical.

• Preventative
  A physical brings potential health concerns to light sooner rather than later.

• Encourage Good Health
  Use your physical examination as an opportunity to create a health plan for the coming year.

• Get Answers
  A physical provides space for you to ask questions about your health.

Are physical exams covered by insurance?

Insurance may cover a physical exam when administered by a primary care provider. YCHD accepts Medicaid, Medicare, insurance, non-insured (sliding scale fee) physical exams.

DOT Physicals

DOT Physicals cost $125.00 

Federal law requires drivers of commercial motor vehicles to obtain regular physical examinations. These examinations (DOT physicals) are designed to detect physical, mental, and emotional hindrances that may impact the driver’s ability to safely operate commercial vehicles. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires all commercial motor vehicle drivers to maintain a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate (Form MCSA-5876) to drive. Form MCSA-5875 must be filled out by a DOT certified medical examiner. There have been many recent changes in the certification process and tougher requirements must be met to be certified and re-certified.

Items to bring to your DOT physical at YCHD:

• Current driver’s license (expired license will not be accepted)

• Eyeglasses, contact lenses, or anything you currently use for vision correction

• Working hearing aid, or anything you currently use for audio assistance

• Past health history, including medications list or prescription bottles

• Contact info for current physicians and/or specialists

• Current FMCSA Waiver or Exemption Certificate or Skills

• Performance Evaluation (if applicable)

What to expect during the examination:

• The doctor will review your health history with you and conduct a thorough physical examination

• A urine screen (dip-stick test) will be conducted for urine specific gravity, urine protein, urine blood, and urine sugar, to check for the onset of possible disqualifying medical conditions

• Drug testing is not a typical part of the DOT exam but may be required by your employer

How long is a DOT medical card good for?

Department of Transportation (DOT) physical exams are issued to be valid for up to 24 months

• If you meet all the FMCSA DOT Regulations for Commercial Driver Fitness, 2 years

• If periodic monitoring is required for certain medical conditions, 6-12 months

• If you have a recently diagnosed condition that you are working with your primary care doctor to get under control, 1-3 months

• Medical condition(s) or medication(s) may cause your medical card to be disqualified until the disqualifying conditions are rectified

Why might someone fail a DOT exam?

The most common reasons for being disqualified on a DOT physical are elevated blood pressure, uncontrolled sugar in the urine, and the use of prohibited medications. These conditions can commonly be controlled and managed.

Other reasons for failing a DOT exam can involve having any condition that would cause a loss of the ability to operate a commercial vehicle safely, including the loss or impairment of limbs, poor/monocular vision, insulin controlled diabetes, neuropathy, high blood pressure, heart disease, epilepsy, mental disorders or use of certain drugs. Additional testing or records to ensure you are approved to drive may be required as outlined below. The below are guidelines only, and not meant to be all-inclusive or as a guarantee of passing the exam.

• All Drivers:
  Bring a complete list of ALL of your medications, including the doses and your doctors’ names and addresses.

• Drivers who require eyeglasses, contact lenses, or hearing aids:
  Bring your glasses, contacts, or hearing aids. You will be required to pass a vision and hearing test. Must be able to distinguish colors found on traffic signals.

• Drivers who have high blood pressure:
  Your blood pressure MUST be below 140/90 on the day of your exam or you may not qualify for a DOT card.

• Drivers who have diabetes:
  Your blood sugar should be controlled. Bring the most recent results of a lab test called a Hemoglobin A1C (HgAIC) and your blood sugar logs or other records related to your diabetes.

• Drivers who have nighttime sleep disturbance (sleep apnea) and use a CPAP machine:
  Bring a reading from your machine documenting your proper use of the machine; a letter from your sleep specialist may also be required. Bring at least 90 days of data, but data from the past year is best.

• Drivers who have heart-related issues (including a stent, valves, pacemaker, open-heart surgery, cardiac bypass surgery, or heart attack):
  At a minimum, bring a letter from your cardiologist that outlines your medical history, current medications, and indicates you are safe to drive a DOT vehicle. You may also need to bring the results of a recent stress test, ECHO cardiogram, or other testing completed within the past 1-2 years.

• Drivers who have suffered a stroke, a brain tumor, a seizure disorder, or bleeding in the brain:
  Bring a letter from your neurologist that outlines your medical history, current medications, and current neurologic and psychiatric state.

• Drivers who have experienced the permanent loss of use in an arm or a leg:
  Bring an overview from your physician of the injury and if you have any work restrictions due to the injury. You may need a Skilled Performance Examination in order to qualify for your DOT card.

• Drivers who are taking any medications that may cause sedation or sleepiness or controlled substances (includes narcotics, sleeping pills, anxiety medication, ADHD medication):
  You will most likely need a note and medical records from your treating physician regarding the safety of driving a DOT vehicle while using these medications.

Here’s a list of things you can do to prepare for your DOT physical at YCHD:

1. Continue to take your medications, including blood pressure as prescribed.

2. Drink water since you will need to provide a urine sample during this visit

3. Wear loose clothing for the physical exam

4. Do not drink coffee or smoke cigarettes 30 minutes before your exam – these may affect your blood pressure reading

5. Complete the ‘Driver Information’ and ‘Health History’ sections of the medical examination report form.

6. If you are uncertain you will qualify for a DOT card, you should read the guidelines
   above and if needed, schedule a visit with your doctor BEFORE your physical.

Call 828-682-6118 to schedule your DOT appointment.