Aspire

If you're on Medicare, you're entitled to a free annual wellness visit once every year. This visit is a chance to work with your health care team to develop a personalized prevention plan and to take full advantage of preventive care benefits that are covered at 100%.

Here are some frequently asked questions about this important benefit:

1. What can I expect during a Medicare annual wellness visit?

Your annual wellness visit includes:

• Routine measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure and body-mass index (BMI).
• Review of your individual medical and family history.
• Review of the medications, supplements and vitamins you are taking.
• Discussion of the care you are receiving from other health care providers.
• Review of your functional ability and level of safety (for example, your risk of falling at home), including any cognitive impairment.
• Mental health screening.
• Discussion of risk factors and special health conditions or needs, including weight loss, physical activity, smoking cessation, fall prevention and nutrition.
• Discussion of referrals to other appropriate health education or preventive counseling services that may help you minimize or treat potential health risks.
• Planning a schedule for the Medicare screenings and other preventive services you will need over the next 5 to 10 years.

2. What should I bring to the annual wellness visit?

• All prescriptions and over-the-counter drugs that you currently take.
• Your medical and immunization records.
• Your family health history (including parents, grandparents, siblings and children) to help your doctor determine if you're at risk for certain diseases.

3. Is the annual wellness visit the same thing as a yearly physical exam?

No. The annual wellness visit is not meant to replace your annual checkup. An annual physical exam is much more extensive and may also include a check of your vital signs as well as your lungs, head and neck; abdomen; neurological function; skin; and extremities.

Clinical laboratory tests and immunizations are not included in the annual wellness visit.

4. What does it cost?

You pay nothing out of pocket for the annual wellness visit.

5. What if I require further tests or screenings?

At your annual wellness visit, you and your health care team will decide which tests and screenings you may need. Medicare covers many screenings for people who are at high risk for certain diseases. You may incur a co-payment or deductible expense if additional services are performed.

6. How often can I have my annual wellness visit?

Once every 12 months.

Medicare's wellness visit will help you take control of your health care. It provides a snapshot of your current health as a baseline for future yearly visits and is intended as a preventive service to catch potentially serious health issues early. Contact your primary care provider's office to set up your Medicare annual wellness visit.

We are looking forward to seeing you and working with you to plan for your best possible health—so you can feel good and enjoy all that life has to offer.

Categories: Wellness