Yes, routine annual physicals are covered as part of the preventive service requirements of the Affordable Care Act.
Under federal rules, insurers must provide coverage for preventive health services that the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends at an A or B rating without any cost-sharing requirements such as a copayment, coinsurance, or deductible. This means that insurers must provide coverage for preventive health services currently recommended by the USPSTF and federal guidance. You can find a list of USPSTF recommended preventive services here.
For example, if you are man 35 and older and go to the doctor’s office for an annual physical, and are screened for cholesterol abnormalities as part of your annual physical, the insurance company cannot impose cost-sharing for either the physical or the cholesterol abnormalities screening. Note, however, that the law covers preventive care – if there is a medical reason for a service, then you may have some cost-sharing requirements. Take the previous example with the man 35 and older: if he goes into his annual physical to discuss recurring stomach pain and the doctor bills separately for an office visit for any services to address the stomach pain, these services will likely not be considered preventive care.
Note that not all plans must comply with the Affordable Care Act's preventive services requirement. See the alternative coverage section to learn more. (45 C.F.R. § 147.130(a)(2)).