Medicare offers free Wellness Visits

To help keep seniors as healthy as possible, Medicare offers free “Annual “Wellness Visits” intended to prevent problems before they begin.

Welcome to Medicare Visit

Medicare covers this one-time introductory visit within the first 12 months a person has Medicare Part B (medical insurance). The visit includes a review of medical and social history and education about preventive services, such as screenings, immunizations, and referrals for other care that may be needed.

Annual Wellness Visit

This visit can take place every 12 months. You do not need to have had a Welcome to Medicare Visit to qualify for this yearly visit.

The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not an actual head-to-toe physical exam. At this visit, a personalized prevention plan is developed or updated. This may include completing a “Health Risk Assessment,” which examines health status, injury risks, risky behaviors, and health needs to promote wellness. A thorough review of medications also is performed.

• During this visit, a nurse will take a complete health history. This includes the following:
• Screenings to detect depression, risk of falling, and other conditions
• A limited exam to check blood pressure, weight, height, vision, and other things depending on age, gender, and level of activity
• Recommendations for other wellness services and healthy lifestyle changes are noted

A Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not meant to treat or discuss pre-existing conditions or diagnose new or developing conditions. Those services are provided by regular provider visits. Specifically, a Medicare Annual Wellness Visits does not cover the following:

• Physical examinations
• Vaccinations
• Medication prescription or adjustment
• Chronic illness treatment
• Sick visits
• Diagnosis of conditions
• Any type of blood work, lab tests or panels, or X-rays

Contact your primary care provider to learn more about the Welcome to Medicare Visit and Medicare Annual Wellness Visits.