Did you know Medicare covers a one-time Welcome to Medicare screening and an Annual Wellness Visit? Both have no co-pay or deductibles applied and are a great way to improve your health. Below are answers to commonly asked questions about the Annual Wellness Visit. If you have additional questions or want to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit, contact your primary care provider’s office.
What is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
This visit provides an opportunity to talk with your healthcare team about your health history, your risk for certain diseases, the current state of your health, and your plan for staying healthy.
During your Annual Wellness Visit, your healthcare team will:
- Check your height, weight and blood pressure
- Screen for depression, risk for falling, memory loss and other potential problems
- Provide you with a written personalized preventive care plan
- Make recommendations for additional wellness services and healthy lifestyle changes
How is the Annual Wellness Visit different from other visits?
- This is not the same as a yearly head-to-toe physical exam
- Your doctor or nurse practitioner will not listen to your heart and lungs or check other parts of your body
When should I have the exam?
You are eligible for the Welcome to Medicare visit during the first 12 months after your enrollment in Medicare Part B.
You can have your first Annual Wellness Visit after you have been enrolled in Medicare for 12 months. After your first Wellness Visit, you can have a follow-up Wellness Visit every 12 months.
Who pays for the exam?
- Medicare will pay for most screening services you need
- You might have to pay a copayment for some screening services and follow-up visits
How do I schedule my visit?
Call your primary care provider’s office, tell them you would like to schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, and they will help you plan your appointment. When the appointment is scheduled, fill out this form about your health (spanish version) and bring to your appointment.
Things to bring to your Annual Wellness Visit:
- A list of healthcare providers and suppliers currently involved in your care
- Any family health history you have, in as much detail as possible
- A list of all of your medicines and dosages, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbals
- The names of the pharmacies you use
What is preventive care and why is it important for my health?
Preventive care is what we do to prevent or delay medical problems. Getting preventive care saves you time, money and the worry that comes with medical problems. If you avoid medical problems, you will be more independent and have a better quality of life for a longer time.