According to experts, attending these exams, which cost up to $500 for the uninsured, can lead to over-diagnosis and unnecessary tests that carry risks.

Dr. Ezekiel Emanuel, from the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, expressed concerns over the potential harm caused by picking up harmless abnormalities during these visits. With an estimated 44 million Americans attending annual physical exams each year, the cost to insurers adds up to approximately $10 billion.

While annual checkups have been a longstanding tradition in the American healthcare system, some experts argue that they do little to prevent disease and can take up valuable time that primary care physicians could allocate to more urgent health issues.

Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School, pointed out the inaccuracy of certain parts of the physical exam and routine tests, which may lead to false positive results in asymptomatic individuals. Experts suggest that evidence-based prevention should be prioritized over routine annual checkups to ensure effective healthcare practices.

Despite conflicting opinions, the Society of General Internal Medicine notes that individuals with chronic diseases or at high risk of developing them may still benefit from regular checkups. However, for otherwise healthy individuals, experts argue that these visits may not make a significant difference in prolonging a healthy life.