Make sure you bring your child to their routine health exams, often called well-child visits. These visits start shortly after birth and last through the teen years.
These health exams allow a primary care provider* (PCP) to check your child’s health and growth. Finding any problems early gives your child the best chance to stay healthy. Also, you can talk about any questions or worries you have during these visits.

What Happens During a Well-Child Visit?

Each well-child exam is tailored to your child. During most visits, a PCP will check:

  • Growth and development, such as your child’s height, weight, and milestones like how they play, move, speak or act.
  • Body health, such as their heart, lungs, stomach, skin, eyes, ears, and throat.
  • Needed immunizations (shots) or screenings. Shots are given based on a schedule. Screenings for hearing, vision, or other health worries may be done based on your child’s age.
  • If you need any support: The PCP can offer help with healthy eating, sleep, activity, and safety measures for your child. They can talk about any questions or worries you may have. They can also provide support for you as a parent.

Your child’s PCP will give you a schedule for well-child visits, such as:

  • 3 to 5 days old
  • By 1 month
  • 2 months
  • 4 months
  • 6 months
  • 9 months
  • 1 year
  • 15 months
  • 18 months
  • 2 years
  • 30 months
  • 3 years

After age 3, well-child visits are often scheduled yearly through the teen years. If your child has Medi-Cal, they can get care at no cost from birth to age 21. Learn more here about your Medi-Cal benefits.

Get a $50 gift card for well-child visits

If you bring your child to get 6 or more well-child visits within the first 15 months of your child’s life, you will get a $50 gift card in the mail!
The gift card will be mailed to you automatically after 8 weeks. If you need help or have questions, call SFHP Customer Service at 1(415) 547-7800, 1(800) 288-5555 (toll-free), or 711 (TTY), Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm. You can learn more about SFHP Health Rewards here!
*Your primary care provider (PCP) is your main doctor or healthcare provider who helps you stay healthy and handles your care.

More Help from SFHP

  • Customer Service: If you need help or have questions, call SFHP Customer Service at 1(415) 547-7800, 1(800) 288-5555 (toll-free), or 711 (TTY), Monday–Friday, 8:30am–5:30pm.
  • Interpreter Services: You can get an interpreter in-person or by phone for your health visits. When you make an appointment, ask for an interpreter at the same time.
  • Need a Ride? SFHP can help you get transportation to any medical appointment covered by Medi-Cal. Ask your provider or call Customer Service.
  • Interested in Medi-Cal Benefits? See if you or your family can get Medi-Cal through SFHP.

Learn more about your covered Medi-Cal benefits and services.