Adolescent & teen health

As teens mature from childhood through adolescence, their health care needs change. Having a good relationship with a Primary Care Provider (PCP) can help with the transition.

Annual preventive visit

Adolescents and teens should make annual preventive visits with their PCP a priority. Preventive care is an important part of keeping kids healthy into adulthood. When you see an in-network provider, you'll pay no ($0) out-of-pocket costs for preventive services. At these visits, your child's provider will:

Monitor physical, mental and social development
Provide age-specific vaccinations, screenings and tests
Offer advice about unhealthy behaviors
Discuss nutrition, proper exercise and safety measures
Support your child's transition into adulthood
Talk through any health and well-being questions and concerns

Annual preventive visit vs. sports physical

An annual preventive visit is an exam and health assessment to help monitor and treat a person’s level of health. A sports physical is an exam to help determine if it is safe for an athlete to participate in a sport. Your child’s PCP may do both at a preventive visit. A sports physical done as a separate visit will have cost sharing (copays, deductibles).

See a list of covered preventive services for pre-teens and teens at healthcare.gov.

Adolescent immunizations

As kids grow, protection from some childhood vaccines begin to wear off. Kids also become at risk for more diseases. Staying up-to-date with recommended vaccines offers the best possible protection against common preventable diseases.

The CDC recommends vaccinating every adolescent against cancers caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) before their 13^th birthday. Because the immune system has a stronger response in younger years, early vaccination can help protect adolescents from HPV – before exposure occurs.

The CDC also recommends that adolescents get the Meningococcal (MCV) and Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap) vaccines before their 13^th birthday. A MCV booster is recommended for ages 16-18.

If your adolescent missed getting their HPV or MCV vaccines before their 13th birthday, check with your PCP. It may not be too late for your child to receive important protection against cancers and infection.

For more information about recommended vaccines visit:

Adolescent vaccines	Why	Dosage
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)	Protects against some cervical, anal, oral and a few other rare cancers.	Two-dose series completed by age 13. Three-dose series if started at age 15 or older.
Meningococcal (MCV)	Protects against a bacterial infection that can make the lining of the brain and spinal cord swell, causing death.	One by age 13.
Tetanus, Diphtheria and Pertussis (Tdap)	A combination vaccine that protects against three life-threatening bacterial diseases.	One by age 13.
Meningococcal (MCV) booster (ages 16-18)	Meningococcal (MCV) booster (ages 16-18) Helps prevent meningococcal disease caused by serogroup B.	One.
Flu (all ages)	Protects against new strains of flu viruses - respiratory infections that can cause serious complications.	One every fall or winter.