Medicare Wellness Visit
Did you know that Medicare covers a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit and yearly "Wellness" visits?
These visits have no copays or deductibles and are a chance for your provider to give you an in-depth look into your health. Together with your healthcare team, you will develop a long-term care plan. It is designed to help you prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors.
What is a "Welcome to Medicare" visit?
This visit is available to you as a newly enrolled Medicare patient. Despite its name, the visit does not include an extensive physical exam. Instead, it is an opportunity for your provider to assess your health and provide a plan for future care.
What is a yearly "Wellness" visit?
The yearly visit is a preventive visit where your provider will measure height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. Your provider will also discuss your medical and family history and health risks. Not to be confused with a routine physical exam, the purpose of this visit is to review your wellness and develop a personalized prevention plan to help keep you healthy.
What happens during a "Wellness" visit?
- Update your age, address, and contact information
- Review your medical history and medications
- Update your list of current care providers
- Check blood pressure, height, weight, and BMI
- Screening for memory and behavioral changes
- Review of movement ability and risk of falling
- Written preventative screening plan for the next 5 to 10 years
- Advanced care (end-of-life) planning