School, camp physical season has begun

  • Published
  • By Kathryne Friess
  • 66th Medical Group
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  In Massachusetts, children ages 4 to 17 are required to undergo physical exams for initial enrollment in school, enrollment in most summer camps, and participation in sports programs, which also require updated physicals every 13 months.

The 66th Medical Group's school physical season will begin early to meet the needs of the Hanscom community. School physical appointments will be available in April during Tuesday clinics, held from 8:30 a.m. to noon, and in May during Wednesday clinics, held from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

To request an appointment, call the 66 MDG appointment line at (888) 628-9633. The appointment should be scheduled with the child's primary care manager. However, a child may be seen by a different provider for this appointment if it better suits the individual's schedule.

Individuals must arrive 15 minutes prior to the child's scheduled school physical appointment time to meet with the provider's nurse or medical technician and complete a medical history, vision screening, height, weight and blood pressure checks, and to receive important age-specific information. The paperwork, screenings, and counseling must all be completed in advance of seeing the provider at the scheduled appointment time.

If any medical issues beyond the scope of the physical are identified during this appointment, an additional appointment will be scheduled to more thoroughly address that issue. The focus of these appointments is to complete the requirements for the physical and to review the child's immunization record. The child will receive any required immunizations during the visit.

Upon completion of the visit, parents will receive a copy of the 66 MDG Physical Form, which is valid for enrollment in school, summer camps and sports programs in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Individuals relocating to another state should contact the local school system and request copies of the required forms to take to the child's appointment to ensure the physical will be valid at the child's new school.

School and sports physical appointments will be available only on a limited basis throughout the summer, so parents and children are encouraged to make appointments as early as possible.

For more information call the Hanscom Appointment line or the Family Practice Clinic at (781) 377-4021.