Medicare Wellness Visits

A great way to stay healthy is to take advantage of the preventive and wellness visits covered by Medicare. These visits, called Welcome to Medicare and Annual Wellness, are different than an annual physical exam. They have specific benefits and coverage defined by Medicare. Here’s what to expect:

Welcome to Medicare

You are eligible for the "Welcome to Medicare" preventative visit within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. During this visit, your doctor will:

• Review your health and medical history
• Check your height, weight, and blood pressure
• Calculate your body mass index (BMI)
• Conduct a simple vision test
• Review potential risk for depression and your level of safety
• Discuss disease prevention, health, and wellness improvements

You will receive a written, personalized plan of care outlining screenings, immunizations and other preventive services you may need. Additional health concerns may require a separate follow-up appointment—ask your provider's office when you call to schedule your Welcome to Medicare visit.

Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)

You are eligible for a Medicare "Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)" visit every 12 months if you have been enrolled in Medicare Part B longer than 12 months. During your AWV, your doctor will:

• Review your medical and family history
• Develop or update a list of your providers and any prescriptions you’re taking
• Check your height, weight, and blood pressure
• Discuss disease prevention, health, and wellness improvements
• Develop a screening schedule for preventive services and immunizations
• Ask you to fill out a questionnaire called a "Health Risk Assessment"
• Additional health concerns may require a separate follow-up appointment. Ask your provider's office when you call to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit.

What’s the difference between the Welcome to Medicare Visit and the Annual Wellness Visit?

Your first Annual Wellness Visit has a lot in common with the Welcome to Medicare Visit. The main difference is timing. If you are newly enrolled in Medicare, you are eligible for the one-time Welcome to Medicare Visit only within the first year. The Annual Wellness Visit can take place every 12 months, and the first visit can be scheduled either 12 months after the Welcome to Medicare Visit or after more than 12 months of your enrollment in Medicare.

How are the Welcome to Medicare Visit and the Annual Wellness Visit different from a yearly physical?

An annual physical is a much more extensive examination than the Welcome to Medicare Visit or Annual Wellness Visit. In addition to collecting your medical history, it may also include a vital signs check, lung exam, head and neck exam, abdominal exam, neurological exam, dermatology exam and extremities exam.