The first thing to check is your health insurance. In the U.S., using a hospital without insurance significantly increases costs, so it's important to accurately understand the type of insurance you currently have.

Whether it's employer-provided insurance, private insurance, or public insurance like Medicare or Medicaid affects the way you receive care and the cost structure. Additionally, whether it's HMO or PPO affects the range of hospitals you can choose from, so receiving care within the network is a basic principle to reduce costs.

The next step is to choose a primary care physician (PCP). The U.S. healthcare system largely revolves around this PCP. They manage your overall health, from simple checkups to chronic disease management, and refer you to specialists if necessary. You can select a PCP through your insurance company's website or hospital system, and it's advisable to consider location, reputation, and accessibility.

Health checkups are typically scheduled through this PCP. You can call the hospital or use an online portal to make an appointment, where basic consultations and tests will be conducted. An important point here is that "not all tests are done at once." Basic tests like blood pressure, blood tests, cholesterol, and blood sugar are usually done during the initial visit, but procedures like endoscopies or specialized tests often require referrals to specialized clinics.

A commonly overlooked aspect of the U.S. healthcare system is preventive screenings. Under the Affordable Care Act, most insurances provide one basic preventive screening per year for free. This includes basic physical exams, some cancer screenings, and vaccinations. However, it's important to note that these are often only free when conducted for "preventive purposes"; if symptoms are recorded, they may be classified as diagnostic tests and incur costs. Understanding this difference is crucial for managing healthcare expenses.

There are various places where you can receive checkups. University hospitals or large hospitals excel in specialized tests and care, while local clinics are suitable for basic checkups and consultations. Additionally, specific tests like colonoscopies and mammograms are often conducted at specialized centers. Recently, clinics within pharmacies like CVS Health or Walgreens have also started offering simple health checks and vaccination services, improving accessibility.

The items included in checkups vary by age and gender. Generally, height, weight, BMI, blood pressure, blood tests, and urinalysis are included, with women possibly needing cervical cancer screenings or mammograms, and men possibly needing prostate exams. After age 50, colonoscopies and bone density tests are also recommended. Additionally, lifestyle assessments are important, checking for smoking, drinking habits, exercise levels, and dietary habits.

After the checkup, further actions are determined based on the results. If abnormal values are found, you may be referred to a specialist or undergo additional tests. The U.S. system tends to focus more on "digging deeper when problems are found" rather than preventive care, making the post-checkup management process an important aspect.

Cost management is also something to pay attention to. It's necessary to check insurance coverage before tests and understand co-pay and deductible conditions. Some tests may be processed for free, while others may incur out-of-pocket expenses. Especially before meeting your deductible, costs can be significant, so it's advisable to check in advance.

Even without insurance, there are options. You can utilize public programs like Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program, and community health centers (FQHC) offer checkups at reduced costs based on income. For women, Planned Parenthood provides options for relatively low-cost checkups. You can also save on medication or some test costs by using services like GoodRx.

Finally, practical tips include confirming whether fasting is required before the checkup and organizing your current medications and medical history in advance. Since appointment times are usually short, it helps to prepare any questions beforehand.

The U.S. healthcare system is complex, but understanding the structure and approach can help you receive necessary checkups while minimizing unnecessary costs.