MEDICARE ANNUAL WELLNESS EXAMS
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit: What is it?
Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit is a free health benefit that can help prevent disease and disability. The visit is not the same as a routine physical exam, but an opportunity for you to work with your healthcare provider to create a personalized prevention plan that includes proactive steps to help you stay healthy.
The visit may include:
- Personalized health advice
- A review of your medical and family history
- A health risk assessment
- An assessment of psychological risks (i.e.. depression, life satisfaction, stress, loneliness, fatigue, social isolation)
- Assessment of behavioral risks (physical activity, nutrition, home safety, etc.)
- Assessment of activities of daily living
- Creation of a schedule of preventative services (screenings, vaccinations, etc.)
- A check of routine measurements
- Developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions
- Advance Care Planning
What is the difference between a Medicare Annual Wellness Exam and the Initial Preventive Physical Exam?
The Initial Preventive Physical Exam (sometimes referred to as the “Welcome to Medicare” exam) is a one-time exam that occurs within the first 12 months of your Medicare Part B coverage and also focuses on preventing health diseases
What does Medicare cover? What do I pay?
Your Welcome to Medicare Exam and Medicare Annual Wellness Visits are both covered at 100% if you have Medicare part B.
Please note: You may have to pay a co-insurance or deductible if your provider orders tests or services that are not considered part of Medicare's preventative services.
What Should I Bring to the Appointment?
Please bring the following items to your appointment:
- All prescription medication bottles
- Any other medications or health products you use, including vitamins, supplements, inhalers and topical creams
- The names of all doctors and specialists on your healthcare team, such as your eye doctor, cardiologist or foot doctor
- The names and locations of your pharmacies, including any mail-order pharmacies
- The name of any home health agency currently providing services in your home for an illness or injury
- The names of any medical equipment supply companies you use, such as an oxygen supplier
- A list of any recent immunizations you received outside of WVSOM Health, such as tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, shingles, flu or pneumonia vaccines
Keep in mind that giving your doctor as much information as possible will enable them to provide a more effective picture of your total health.
Schedule your free Medicare Annual Wellness Vist today!