Medicare Wellness Visits

A Medicare Wellness Visit is an introductory preventive health and wellness exam a patient can only receive within their first 12 months of Medicare Part B coverage. This visit includes a review of your medical history, as well as education and counseling about our preventive services, including screenings, shots, referrals to specialty care providers, and more, if needed.

Your initial Medicare Wellness Visit will include:

• Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements
• A calculation of your body mass index (BMI)
• A simple vision test
• A review of your potential risk for depression and your level of safety
• An offer to talk with you about creating advance directives
• A written plan letting you know which screenings, shots, and other preventive services you need
• Details about coverage for screenings, shots, and other preventive services

Please note that this exam is not mandatory or required in order to be covered for future yearly wellness visits. It is, however, completely covered by your Medicare Part B insurance.

Medicare Annual Visits are similar to an initial Medicare Wellness Visit in that they offer general health and wellness screenings but differ in that they offer personalized prevention plans to patients who are at risk of developing certain conditions. These visits are covered once every 12 months by your Medicare Part B plan.

During your Medicare Annual Visit, your medical provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a Health Risk Assessment. Answering these questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit.

Your Annual Medicare Wellness Visit will include:

• A review of your medical and family history
• Developing or updating a list of your current providers and prescriptions
• Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements
• Detection of any cognitive impairment
• Personalized health advice
• A list of risk factors and treatment options
• A screening schedule (like a checklist) for appropriate preventive services
• Details about coverage for screenings, shots, and other preventive services

Please note that those with a Medicare Part B plan are only eligible for this screening once every 12 months. If you have any questions about your eligibility, we encourage you to call our office location nearest you. One of our friendly staff members will be happy to assist you.

Your initial Medicare Wellness Visit and Medicare Annual Visit are completely covered by your Medicare Part B plan, so long as your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider accepts Medicare coverage. No deductible will be applied to these visits.

If your doctor or other healthcare provider performs additional tests or services during the same visit, and these tests or services are not covered under the preventive benefits, you may have to pay coinsurance – and the Part B deductible may apply.

NOTE: Your doctor or other healthcare provider may recommend that you receive certain services more often than what Medicare covers. They may also recommend services that Medicare does not cover. If this happens, and you agree to receive these services and/or tests to maintain optimum health, you may have to pay some or all of the costs. It’s important to ask questions, so you understand why your doctor is recommending certain services and whether Medicare will pay for them.