School Physicals in Bradenton, FL: What to Know Before the School Year

Every August, parents across Bradenton and Manatee County find themselves scrambling to get their children's school physicals completed before the school year begins. Florida has specific requirements for school entry physicals, and the deadline can creep up faster than expected — especially if you're trying to navigate a pediatric practice with a weeks-long wait.

At Meadow Primary Care, school physicals for members ages 2–25 are included in your membership and available same-day. Here's what you need to know.

Florida School Physical Requirements

Florida law requires a physical examination and immunization record for children entering the Florida school system. Specifically:

• School entry physical: Required for all children upon first enrollment in a Florida school, including kindergarten. Must be completed within 12 months before enrollment.
• The DH 680 form (Florida Certification of Immunization): Required documenting up-to-date vaccines
• The DH 3040 form (Physical Examination): The actual physical exam form completed by the healthcare provider
• Some school districts also require updated physicals at certain grade levels — check with your specific school

For student-athletes, a separate sports physical (FHSAA PPE form) is required. Some schools accept a single comprehensive physical that satisfies both requirements — Meriem can complete both forms at the same visit if both are needed.

What's Included in a School Physical at Meadow

A school physical at Meadow is a thorough visit — not a five-minute checkbox exam. Meriem assesses:

• Growth: height, weight, BMI percentile
• Vision and hearing screening
• Cardiovascular exam
• Musculoskeletal and developmental assessment
• Immunization review (and referrals for any vaccines needed)
• General health discussion: nutrition, sleep, activity level, any parental concerns

School Physicals Without Insurance

For Meadow members, school physicals are included — no separate charge. For families without insurance whose children aren't Meadow members, a school physical as a cash-pay visit is available. Text us at (941) 340-1649 for current cash-pay rates.

One Provider for Your Whole Family

Meadow sees children from age 2 through young adults age 25 — and adults and Medicare patients under the same membership structure. Rather than taking your child to a pediatrician across town and seeing a different provider for yourself, your whole family can be cared for by the same provider, at the same practice, under one membership. Same-day access. Direct text. No wait lists.

If your family is in Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, or Ellenton, we'd love to be your family's primary care home. Visit meadowprimarycare.com/pricing or text us at (941) 340-1649.