Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is an important part of your preventive health care plan. Unlike a regular physical exam, this visit focuses on creating or updating a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy.
Taking the time to prepare can make the appointment more productive for both you and your doctor.
Preparing for your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit can help you get the most out of your appointment. In this blog, you will learn about how to prepare, including the following:
- Gather Your Information. Compiling your medical history and a list of current medications is crucial.
- Prepare Your Questions. Think about any health concerns or questions you want to discuss with your doctor.
- Understand the Visit. Knowing that this visit is for preventive planning, not a physical exam, helps set the right expectations.
What is a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is a yearly appointment with your primary care provider. The main purpose is to develop a personalized prevention plan. This visit helps you and your provider create a strategy to prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors.
It is important to understand that this is not a head-to-toe physical examination. Instead, it is a conversation with your doctor about your health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, preventive services like this visit can help you live a longer, healthier life by catching health problems early.
How to Get Ready for Your Visit
Proper preparation ensures all your concerns are addressed. It also helps your provider get a complete picture of your health.
Compile Your Medical and Family History
Your doctor will need to know about your health history. Bring a list that includes the following:
- Past illnesses, surgeries, and hospitalizations
- Your family’s health history, noting conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or cancer
- A complete list of your current medications, including prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements
Make a List of Your Health Care Providers
If you see specialists, like a cardiologist or an endocrinologist, make a list of their names and contact information. This helps your primary care provider coordinate your care effectively. This ensures everyone on your health care team is on the same page.
Think About Your Current Health
Take some time to reflect on how you have been feeling. Write down any questions or concerns you have. No question is too small to ask during your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.
Consider things like:
- Have you noticed any new symptoms or changes in your health?
- Are you having trouble with daily activities?
- Do you have questions about your diet or exercise routine?
What Happens During the Visit?
During your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, your doctor or a member of their team will perform several assessments. These help to identify potential health risks.
Your visit will likely include:
- A review of your medical and family history.
- A list of your current providers and prescriptions.
- Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
- A screening for cognitive issues, such as memory problems.
- An assessment of your risk for depression and your level of safety.
Based on this information, your provider will give you a written plan. This plan is a checklist for the next 5 to 10 years, recommending specific screenings and preventive services you may need.
These preventive screenings are key to early detection and treatment of many health conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Medicare Annual Wellness Exam
The most common FAQs about the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit are:
Is the Annual Wellness Visit Covered by Medicare?
Yes, Medicare Part B covers the Annual Wellness Visit at 100%, with no copayment or deductible, as long as your doctor accepts Medicare.
How Is This Different From a “Welcome to Medicare” Visit?
The “Welcome to Medicare” visit is a one-time visit that you can get within the first 12 months of having Medicare Part B. The Annual Wellness Visit is available every year after that.
Can I Discuss New Health Problems During This Visit?
The Annual Wellness Visit is for preventive care, not for addressing new or existing health problems. If you discuss new issues, you may have to pay a copay and deductible for that part of the visit. It is best to schedule a separate appointment for specific health concerns.
Schedule Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit in South Carolina
Preparing for your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit helps you take an active role in your health care. By gathering your information and thinking about your concerns beforehand, you can ensure a productive conversation with your provider. This visit is a valuable opportunity to create a plan for a healthier future.
At SC Internal Medicine Associates and Rehabilitation, our dedicated team is here to support you. We provide comprehensive and compassionate care to help you manage your health.
Contact us today at (803) 749-1111, or request an appointment online to schedule your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and take the first step toward a personalized prevention plan.
