Back-to-school physicals

Back-to-school physicals, checkups and other exams: Get your child ready to learn, grow and play sports

Your child’s health and well-being are keys to success inside and outside the classroom. When your child feels their best, they’re a better learner and player. In fact, studies show that good health can lead to higher academic achievement, improved performance in activities and sports, and better behavior in kids.

So, what better way to help your child take on the next school year than by getting them in for all their school checkups? HealthPartners makes it simple and convenient to schedule back-to-school physicals. Learn what appointment types you may need and where you can take your child for a school physical.

There are different appointment types to fit your child’s needs – and multiple primary care clinic locations that make getting in for a visit easy and convenient. Get started by choosing the right type of appointment for your child.
Well-child checkups focus on kids’ total health and well-being – and they’re usually 100% covered by insurance. They make sure your child’s growth and development are on-track, their mental health is good, their immunizations are up to date, and they’re fit to participate in sports and activities. If your school-aged child hasn’t had an annual exam in the last year, make a well-child appointment (and bring any sports forms you need signed).

If your child had a positive COVID-19 test in the last six months, a follow-up office visit is strongly recommended – even if they’ve had a well-child physical in the last year. If your child plays school sports, a special form needs to be filled out by a doctor so they can return to play. A follow-up office visit is the perfect way to make sure your child is healthy and get any special sports physical forms for school signed.

If your child has already had their annual well-child visit, but they need to catch up on vaccines, or you’re participating in the No Shots, No School program, an immunization-only appointment is the way to go. These visits are scheduled directly with the nurses who administer all the shots, and often take less than 15 minutes.

Children 6 months old and older are eligible for both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines. And fully vaccinated children over the age of 5 are eligible for a COVID-19 booster shot. To make an appointment, call any of our primary care clinic locations and we’ll help you schedule an appointment at a vaccination site near you.

Concerned about the time or costs it takes to get your child vaccinated? Participate in No Shots, No School.

The No Shots, No School program makes it possible for your child to get immunized, whether you have health insurance or not, at no direct charge to you. And your child doesn’t need to be a HealthPartners patient.

Is your child all caught up on well-child visits, but you need a form signed for a sport or activity? We’ve got you covered.

Getting sports physical forms signed by your child’s doctor is easy. Just fill out the parent portion of the form, then drop the form off at your child’s clinic. When you drop the form off, tell us if you’d like to pick the form up when it’s ready or have it mailed to you – whichever is most convenient. That’s it!

If your child is scheduled for a post-COVID-19 visit and needs a sports form signed, download the form, fill out the parent portion, and bring it with you to the appointment.

Getting your child back-to-school-ready doesn’t end with a physical exam or getting caught up on vaccinations. Eye and dental health are really important, too. Schedule now by selecting an option below.
Each year, your child will have an eye exam as part of their well-child physical. If there are concerns about your child’s vision, a visit with an eye specialist will be strongly recommended. If your child needs corrective lenses, an annual eye exam with an eye specialist is recommended.
Since going to the dentist may not be your child’s favorite activity, it can be easy to fall behind on cleanings. But studies show that children with poor oral health are more likely to miss school and struggle academically. So, getting your child in for a dental checkup every six months is important.