Medicare Wellness Visits
Stay healthy for the moments that matter most. Your Medicare Wellness Visits are no-cost preventive visits covered by Medicare once every 12 months. They’re designed to help you stay healthy, catch concerns early and make a personalized plan for your care.
What is a Medicare Wellness Visit?
A Medicare Wellness Visit is a yearly no-cost appointment you’re eligible for after you begin using Medicare, usually at age 65. These visits focus on prevention, planning and long-term wellness. These visits are not physical exams.
There are two types of Medicare Wellness Visits: an initial Welcome to Medicare visit and subsequent annual wellness visits.
- Welcome to Medicare visit – You may only have this visit once and it must be completed during the first year you’re eligible for Medicare.
- Annual wellness visit – After your initial Welcome to Medicare visit, you are eligible for one $0 Medicare annual wellness visit every 12 months.
What is covered in a Medicare Wellness Visit?
During your visit, your care team will:
- Assess fall risk and safety
- Check your medications and supplements
- Create or update your personalized prevention plan
- Discuss mood and mental health screening
- Identify health risk factors
- Make sure you’re up to date on vaccines and screenings
- Review your medical and family history
- Screen for memory and cognitive concerns
- Discuss end-of-life planning
What is not covered in a Medicare Wellness Visit?
A Medicare Wellness Visit does not include:
- A head-to-toe physical exam
- Bloodwork or lab tests
- Sick visits
- Treatment for new or existing injuries, illnesses and problems
If you need any of these services, they can be scheduled as a separate appointment. In some cases, they may be coordinated with your wellness visit if requested in advance. Please note that additional services, such as a physical exam or sick visit, are billed separately and may result in out-of-pocket costs.
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit vs. Physical
Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit and your annual physical are different visits with different purposes.
Medicare Wellness Visit
- Covered by Medicare at no cost
- Focuses on prevention and planning
- Includes screenings for memory, mental health and safety
- No hands-on exam or labs
- Reviews history, medications and risks
Physical Exam
- Focuses on diagnosing or managing conditions
- Hands-on exam by a provider
- May include labs and vitals
- May involve cost depending on your insurance coverage
How often can I get a Medicare Wellness Visit?
Medicare covers your wellness visit once every 12 months.
This means 12 months from your last wellness visit, not once per calendar year.
If you’re new to Medicare – usually starting at age 65 – your first visit is a Welcome to Medicare visit. After that, you can begin scheduling your yearly annual wellness visit.
Nurse led Wellness Visits
Many Medicare Wellness Visits are completed by trained nurses or care team members in your doctor’s office. This improves access to appointments, reduces wait times and allows your provider to review your results quickly.
You will receive a personalized care and prevention plan tailored to you.
Preparing for Your Visit
To get the most from your Medicare Wellness Visit, bring:
- A list of medications and supplements
- Any recent health records or test results
- Names of other doctors you see if outside of OSF
- Questions or health concerns
- Your Medicare card
Being prepared helps your care team create the best plan for you.
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Ready to schedule your visit?
A simple visit today can support your health for years to come.
Request an Appointment through OSF MyChart