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Elizabeth M. Whitehorn, Director

Well Child Visits – Key to Keeping Kids Healthy!

The Healthy Kids Program

A sick child should see a doctor. What about a healthy child?

It is important to get a personal doctor and to use the same personal doctor as much as possible for your child's healthcare needs. A personal doctor:

  • Helps you get care for your child
  • Provides care when your child is sick
  • Knows your child's medical history and the family history
  • Keeps track of your child's medical services, such as immunizations (shots)
  • Can give you important information about your child's growth and development
  • Refers your child to a specialist when needed

  • Helps to coordinate your child's health needs

Well child visits (or check ups) are important, even when children are healthy. Well child check ups will help to keep your child healthy. Your child's personal doctor will evaluate your child's general health, growth and development. Your child's personal doctor will also give you information and give your child needed medical services, such as:

  • Health exams
  • Tests, such as vision, hearing and lab services
  • Shots (vaccinations)
  • Lead screening (children under 3 years or as needed for older children)
  • Tracking growth and development

  • Medical referrals to specialists, if needed

With the help of regular well child visits, your child’s doctor can often detect and address health problems before they become more serious.

Your children's personal doctor will review your child's health and family history. Well child visits let you and your child get to know the doctor and the doctor can get to know you and your child. The doctor will keep your child's medical record.

Ask your questions…these visits are the time to ask and receive information about:

  • Health and safety
  • Nutrition and diet
  • Physical fitness and general healthcare
  • Sleep habits
  • Growth and development
  • Behavior and discipline

  • Problems such as emotional, socialization, learning, or concerns about family problems or about puberty and teenage years

An exam when your child is sick is focused on the illness or problem and your doctor will not likely have as much time to do a full exam. Your child will get a complete exam at the well child visit. Make your appointment right away!

Recommended Well Child Visit Schedule:

First year of life

  • 2 weeks
  • 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 12 months

Ages 2 through 6:

  • Between ages 2 and 3
  • Between ages 3 and 4
  • Between ages 4 and 5
  • Between ages 5 and 6

Second year of life

  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 24 months

Ages 6 through 20:

  • Between ages 6 and 8
  • Between ages 8 and 10
  • Between ages 10 and 12
  • Between ages 12 and 14
  • Between ages 14 and 16
  • Between ages 16 and 18
  • Between ages 18 and 21

Some children may need more frequent and comprehensive visits, depending on their condition.

It is important to let your local office know of address changes. You will receive a notice from HFS every year your child is eligible. The notice reminds you to make an appointment for the well child visit. You can view the Healthy Kids Annual Notice HFS 1802.

You will also receive a notice when your child is due for his or her next well child screening. Make an appointment right away! For help to locate a doctor, call 1-866-4-OUR-KIDS (1-866-468-7543) (TTY: 1-877-204-1012).

For help finding and paying for transportation to your child's dentist or doctor, call 1-877-725-0569.

For a copy of the Child Health Exam Form (pdf) Required for School Physicals.