Make the Most of Your Annual Medicare Wellness Visit

If you are insured through Medicare, you may not know that you qualify for free, Annual Wellness Visits (AWV) with your Primary Care Provider (PCP). Seeing your doctor regularly is essential to both your current and future health.

What is a wellness visit?

If you’ve been enrolled in Medicare Part B for more than 12 months, you’re eligible for one AWV each year. And if you just enrolled, don't worry—you're eligible for a free "welcome" visit! These appointments allow your doctor to monitor your well-being and detect and treat new health concerns as early as possible.

Related: 4 Immunizations to Get Before You Turn 65

What does an annual wellness visit include?

• You will fill out a questionnaire to help your doctor assess your health.
• Your doctor will measure your height, weight, and blood pressure.
• He or she will also screen for any issues with memory or cognition.
• You will review your medical history together and talk about risk factors or treatment options for any current conditions.
• Your doctor will create a health care plan for your next five to 10 years. This may include recommended screenings, vaccines, or new medications.

There may be additional costs if you need tests or procedures that are not covered by Medicare.

Note: If your AWV also includes a discussion of the management of your current chronic medical conditions (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis) in addition to your preventive services, a copayment may apply. A copayment may also apply if lab tests or other testing
is completed to assess your chronic medical conditions.

Related: Here Are the Tools and Resources You'll Need as a Select Health Member

How should I prepare for my wellness visit?

1. Bring any relevant medical information with you—for example, vaccine records and current prescriptions.
2. Know your family medical history. Your doctor will use this information when recommending other tests or health checks.
3. Make a note of anything you might want to discuss. For example, do you want to plan advance directives or think about making your home safer?

It’s equally important to schedule your next annual visit as soon as possible. This will help you protect your health and make the most of your Medicare coverage.

And while you’re here, check out our other articles on healthy living.

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Select Health is an HMO, HMO-SNP plan sponsor with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Select Health Advantage depends on contract renewal.
References: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; HealthinAging.org

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The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.