Yes, it's been included in my annual blood testing since, I think, my early 60s. Lots of other things too, too many to list. The lab blood draw is usually 4 vials, as I recall.

I have no information about costs, mine are fully covered and have been so under the same employer-related plan both before and after my coverage was integrated with Medicare when I turned 65. I don't know which pays for what, how it would work for others I wouldn't know.

Yes it it part of my blood work. A urinalysis is also part of my yearly lab work. Generally anytime I go in for any lab work. I pay nothing out of pocket for lab tests.

I deleted my post because I reread the question and it didn't really apply to me as I'm not yet in that age group.

I do not get a A1C drawn yet but my blood sugars are always drawn. They are always "normal". Maybe they will start that soon, I am going to be 62 in December. My DH has an A1C draw bi annually, but is has type 2 diabetes.

a1c is a standard panel

Twice yearly physicals? I had no idea this was a thing. Seems like a lot to me.

Below are the USPSTF recommendations for A1c screening.

Adults 35-70 who are overweight, every 3 years. Cost is ~$25-50.

With a diagnosis of diabetes the frequency with vary depending on type of management and control.

I just had a physical...no A1C as my glucose levels are always within range. I do get the CBC and the metabolic panel, thyroid, also Vit D, B12, Lipid panel, and she checked iron levels. They also did a urine test too. EKG is done once a year too. They always check my height and weight but never seem to say anything about it...I was the one who brought up to them that DH's height was reduced, they got him a bone scan and found he had osteoporosis, so if they don't follow your height, you probably should. I do get bone scan on regular basis as I have osteopenia/osteoporosis, and of course the usual mammogram, colonoscopy, and run through the checklist of vaccines.

Not being diabetic, I've never had an A1C. It is a unique lab test not included, as a blood glucose is, in other blood panels. At my local hospital $164 is charged to Medicare for an A1C, which is reduced by 40%, so one would pay $99 (less any payment by secondary insurance.)

My physician annually orders a CBC, Lipid Panel, Comprehensive Metabolic panel (which includes the blood glucose), Glomerular Filtration Rate, & this time a thyroid blood test; also an annual mamogram. My costs are all covered by Medicare & our secondary insurance. I haven’t had, nor has he suggested, an EKG in many years. I decline the bone density test as i have no intentions of taking a med for osteoporosis.

It’s interesting how different healthcare providers order differntly for annual physicals, even in our community.

A few years ago my employer provided insurance did on-site screenings that included A1c (among other things). I was shocked to see that mine was just above the normal range. I had always had serum glucose results in the normal range, but hovering near the top. So even though I am far from obese, my MD does recheck it every once in a while.

If I had close family members with DM, I would want it checked also.

BeeOhio, if you had a bone density test that showed osteopenia, medication is not the only action available. Better to know and address it before it progresses to osteoporosis, perhaps?

Raee, i have had bone density tests in the past & in fact theyve shown osteopenia. i was on Actonel for that about 20 yrs ago, but i think they dont rx it any longer for -penia. After reading the pro/con about these meds i opted to no longer take it. I walk & take calcium so hopefully will forestall the osteoporosis.

Your experience with the A1c is interesting. I wonder if it shouldn’t be more universally used in screening.

Sidebar: DH has had to speak up to have the prostate test removed from his annual exams once he was past 75. It wasn't cheap and it wasn't covered by Medicare. Sometimes a provider fails to take into account history/age/risk and just orders the 'laundry list'. His doctor agreed it wasn't necessary.

Never had an A1C test. I am over 70, but am not overweight and have always had normal glucose levels. My last annual blood work included a Metabolic Panel, Lipid Panel, vitamin levels (D and B) and CBC. Doc also knows I exercise a fair amount (we compare hiking trails and local

parks, etc).

I see my Dr every 3 months, the week before I have blood work done so she has results to go over with me. A1C is always done. I do have diabetes so that is to be expected. Also checks many other levels including D3, B12 cholesterol and triglycerides etc. Since I take Metformin it's important to keep check on B12 levels and I do take that supplement.

Just had bone density and mammogram last week.

Chisue, I had a similar experience with my mother: at a follow up appointment after having fallen, the MD wanted her to get bone density scan - at 87 years old! I said no, don't, but then she added a panel of blood tests to look for signs - they weren't covered by Medicare and they weren't cheap.

Cookbook medicine at its finest - following the guidelines without any thought for the individual patient's circumstances. She wouldn't live long enough to correct it if she had it (and didn't).

My doctors office draws blood every three months, usually 4 vials, and my A1C is always checked. I don't know if it's because I there's a high incidence of type 2 diabetes in my family, or not. They checked my late husband's, too, and his family didn't have a diabetes problem.

My Medicare Advantage plan does cover prostate and bone density tests. My late DH had yearly PSA and physical tests. I've been encouraged by them to have a bone density test, but haven't had one.

Thanks everyone. I still have tendinitis, so slow getting back, sorry.

I think my doctors down the A1c in the past but I guess not for a year or two. I have family members with DM2. I am somewhat overweight and not super huge or anything but overweight and middle 70s.

At the last appointment he told me he wanted me to the E renal doctor because it seems that my GFR is lower than normal.

The last time it was right around normal. I think normal is 60 or above.

So that’s got me concerned and I’m trying to get information on just that might mean, realistically. I cannot get an appointment until the end of December. And so I’m wondering if there is something I can do to speed things up like getting certain exams repeated or done again.

It may just be something typical for my age group but I sure as heck don’t want to be hanging out on a renal diet. Because all the good things that I make like whole grains, dried beans, low sodium, Marinara sauce, Broiled salmon, winter squash, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, brown rice, dairy, yogurt, milk, cheese, nuts, mushrooms, green leafies, on and on and on are verboten.

And if one has any problems like DM2, A lot of the things allowed on a renal diet are not good for the above DM.

So it looks like I can have all the zucchini and green beans and cucumbers, and plain water.

I’ve been reading a bit and not jumping to conclusions but I sure as heck would not want to be hanging out at a dialysis clinic. So when I asked about the A1c I was wondering how did they suddenly get from here to there.

I’ve been reading diet stuff but it’s confusing because a lot of the stuff discusses the typical ho-hum recipes like women’s magazines produce. And I eat Differently than that.

I don’t want to be into February before I get squared away with a diagnosis, plan and dietitian help.

I bought one of those over-the-counter purchased glucose monitoring systems. I think my fasting BG may be higher than is good. It is sometimes 89, sometimes 90, sometimes 104 and sometimes a bit higher.

Thanks for your help I am trying to not use my arms or hands to write, so I may be slow in Getting back to people and I hope you can interpret what I’m really trying to say when I use voice typing. I don’t know whether I have a hard time typing into Houzz; so I have to compose a scratchpad and then cut and paste. I can’t use my fingers or hands to keep correcting so I hope folks can bear with me. I really appreciate all the good feedback.

Wow, so very different -- here, the move is away from a recommendation for annual physicals for everyone (let alone twice yearly), to different schedules based on age, health, and family history. Statistically, regular exams don't improve outcomes, so they stopped that recommendation. My doctor has never run an A1C for me (though I have had it done as a volunteer in a study) even though I'm obese, because my exam and other blood work results have all otherwise been good.

@Toronto Veterinarian, unfortunately, too many providers do not practice current evidence based medicine. Instead they continue what they learned in med school/residency 30 years ago.