Well Child

Well child care is routine preventive health care for children that supports healthy growth and development. Well child visits usually include checkups, screenings, and age-based vaccines, even when your child is not sick.

Last updated: August, 2026

Key Takeaways

Well child visits are regular checkups that track your child’s growth and development.
These visits often include screenings, help for parents, and recommended vaccines.
Many Marketplace health insurance plans cover well child visits as preventive care, but coverage can be different.
Using an in-network provider can help keep your out-of-pocket costs lower.
Preventive visits can help catch concerns early and avoid bigger health issues later.
The AAP recommends up to seven well baby visits during the first year, at 3-5 days, 1, 2, 4, 6, 9, and 12 months.

What is Well Child Care?

Well child care means routine checkups and preventive services for children, from toddler years through teen years. These visits help a pediatrician or other provider watch growth, development, and overall health. A well child visit may include height and weight checks, vision or hearing screenings, and help for parents on topics like nutrition, sleep, school, and safety.

Providers may also give vaccines based on your child’s age and recommend a vaccination schedule. These visits are different from a sick visit, which focuses on symptoms or a specific health concern.

Well Child Visit Schedule

Well child visits happen at different times based on your child's age. Here's the typical schedule recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP):

Newborn Period

2–5 days old (first checkup after leaving the hospital)

Infancy (First Year)

1 month old
2 months old
4 months old
6 months old
9 months old
12 months old (1 year)

Toddler/Pre-School Years

15 months old
18 months old
24 months old (2 years)
30 months old (2½ years)
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old

School Age and Teen Years

Annual visits (once per year) starting at age 3 and continuing through age 21

Important Notes:

This is a general schedule. Your child's doctor may recommend more or fewer visits based on your child's specific health needs.
Your child may need extra visits if they have special health concerns or developmental issues.
Sports physicals and school forms can often be completed during annual well child visits.

How This Shows Up in Real Life

Your child has a scheduled well child visit with a pediatrician. The provider usually checks height and weight, asks about sleep, diet, and school, and reviews developmental milestones. Your child may also get a vision screening or vaccines recommended for their age. If there are any new health concerns for your child during the visit, the provider may address it, and some services could be billed separately.

How Well Child Visits Affect What You Pay

Well child visits are often covered as preventive care when you use an in-network provider. Costs can change if your child needs extra tests, treatment, or follow-up care that goes beyond preventive services. Coverage may also depend on staying in-network.

Looking at your plan details and scheduling preventive visits can help you budget and reduce surprise medical bills.

Where to Find This in Your Plan Details

To understand how well child care is covered under your health insurance plan, you can look at:

Your Summary of Benefits and Coverage (SBC)
Your Schedule of Benefits
Your member handbook or policy documents
Your health plan’s website, your Ambetter Health online member account, or the mobile app.

These resources can help you check what counts as preventive care, whether vaccines are covered, and if any copays apply.

How This Changes Across Marketplace Plans

Well child coverage can be different depending on the plan tier and network you pick. Your monthly premium and potential out-of-pocket costs may be different based on plan tier and provider network rules.

Bronze Plans — Often have lower monthly premiums but higher out-of-pocket costs if services go beyond preventive care.
Silver plans — Typically balance premium costs with moderate out-of-pocket expenses for additional tests or treatment.
Gold plans — Usually have higher monthly premiums but may result in lower costs if your child needs follow-up care.
- Note: Coverage is usually highest when you use in-network pediatricians and providers.

FAQs About Well Child

Well child visits are usually scheduled regularly throughout childhood, often once per year after early childhood. Your child’s provider can recommend timing based on age, school needs, and any ongoing health concerns.

Not always. A well child visit is a full preventive checkup that looks at overall health and development. Some offices can complete sports forms during a well child visit, but requirements can be different, so it’s best to ask ahead of time.

Most Marketplace plans cover well child visits when you use an in-network provider. If your child receives additional services, like treatment for a new problem or extra testing, you may have out-of-pocket costs.

Vaccines are often provided during well child care visits, based on your child’s age and recommended schedule. Coverage can vary by plan and network, so checking your benefits can help you understand your costs.

Bring your child’s immunization records if you have them, plus a list of medications and any questions you want to discuss. If the visit is for school or sports forms, bring those documents too.

Well child visits serve several important purposes:

Monitor Growth and Development

Track height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) to make sure your child is growing normally
Check developmental milestones (like walking, talking, reading, and social skills)
Screen for vision, hearing, and other health issues

Prevent Illness and Injury

Give vaccines to protect against serious diseases
Talk about safety topics like car seats, bike helmets, water safety, and preventing injuries at home
Catch health problems early before they become serious

Support Healthy Habits

Give guidance on nutrition and healthy eating
Discuss sleep habits and bedtime routines
Talk about physical activity and screen time
Address mental health and emotional well-being

Build a Relationship with Your Child's Doctor

Create a comfortable relationship so your child feels safe asking questions
Keep medical records up to date
Plan for any special health needs or concerns

A well child visit is your chance to ask questions and discuss anything about your child's health. Here are common topics to bring up:

Physical Health

Eating habits, appetite, and nutrition concerns
Sleep patterns and any sleep problems
Bathroom habits (potty training, constipation, bedwetting)
Any aches, pains, or physical concerns
Dental health and teeth brushing

Development and Learning

School performance and behavior at school
Speech and language development
Motor skills (using hands, running, jumping, writing)
Learning concerns or special education needs

Behavior and Emotions

Mood changes, anxiety, or sadness
Behavior challenges at home or school
Social skills and friendships
Bullying concerns (being bullied or bullying others)
Screen time and technology use

Safety

Car seat or seatbelt use
Bike helmet and sports safety
Water safety and swimming
Home safety (smoke detectors, guns, medicines)
Stranger danger and internet safety

Related Terms

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Have questions about how this works with your Ambetter Health plan?

Already covered? Your benefits vary by plan and location. Limitations and exclusions may apply. Contact Ambetter Health or call Member Services at the number on the back of your Member ID Card for answers specific to your coverage.

Not yet a member? Our licensed agents are ready to help you find the perfect plan. Call 855-680-3270 (TTY: 711), Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, to discuss your health insurance options.

Sources:

Healthychildren.org - AAP Schedule of Well-Child Care Visits

Medlineplus.gov - Well-Child Visits

Healthpartners.com - From newborn to 15 months old, here’s your new baby’s checkup schedule

Medicaid.gov - Well-Child Care

Tuftsmedicine.org - Know Before You Go: What to Expect During a Well-Child Visit

Publications.aap.org - The Well-Child Visit: Why Go and What to Expect