The Medicare Wellness Program is an annual preventive healthcare visit designed for Medicare beneficiaries to maintain optimal health and prevent diseases. This program is available free of charge to beneficiaries whose healthcare providers accept the assignment.

It's important to note that the Medicare Wellness Visit does not include a physical examination. However, some Medicare Advantage Plans may schedule both a physical examination and a wellness visit during the same appointment with your healthcare provider.

What’s Included in a Medicare Wellness Visit?

Medicare wellness comprises crucial elements such as a thorough analysis of your medical history, detection of potential health risks, and formulation of a proactive prevention plan. This essential coverage falls under Part B of Medicare.

During your wellness checkup, your doctor may do the following procedures:

• Examine the medical records of both you and your family.
• Evaluate the doctors and medicines you currently use.
• Note your vital statistics, such as weight, height, and blood pressure.
• Provide individualized health recommendations.
• Examine possible health hazards and available therapies.
• To screen for suggested preventive care, create a checklist.
• If you currently have an opioid prescription, the doctor considers reviewing potential risk factors for opioid issues.
• Have a conversation about advance care planning, including whom you want to be able to make medical choices if you cannot.
• Do a cognitive evaluation to search for Alzheimer's and other dementia. Medicare will pay for a separate appointment to evaluate your cognitive function if your doctor suspects you may have cognitive impairment.

During the session, you'll often complete a health risk analysis survey. It might assist you, and your doctor in creating a specialized health maintenance strategy.

Eligibility for Medicare Wellness

Individuals with Medicare can be eligible for an annual wellness visit if:

• They have been enjoying the benefits of Part B of Medicare for 12 months. 
• They had no “Welcome to Medicare” exam or Annual Wellness Visit in the past 12 months. 

Medicare pays for the Annual Wellness Visit for the people eligible for this program. 

Preparation for Medicare Wellness visit

You may have more time to discuss your health with your doctor if you are more organized and prepared before your appointment. Gathering the following items to bring to your visit is a good idea:

• It could be simplest to pack the bottles of all the drugs you take—prescription, over-the-counter, vitamins, supplements, and herbal—in a bag and bring them.
• Names and contact details of healthcare professionals you visit.
• If your doctor's office provided you with the health risk assessment and completed health history form in advance, bring them with you.
• A list of inquiries or concerns you have for your physician.
• You can take your immunization records and information about currently prescribed medications and supplements you take. 

Preparing yourself with all this information will make your Medicare Wellness visit successful. 

How does Medicare Wellness Visit Differ from a Physical Exam?

Medicare Wellness visits differ from general physical exams in the following ways. 

Medicare WellNess

• It is done when you want to maintain your health and well-being. Thanks to a wellness visit, your doctor can better support your ongoing health by learning what is working for you.
• Make or edit a list of doctors and prescribed medications.
• The doctor set up a timetable for screenings for preventative measures. 
• Your doctor checks your cognitive health and provides individualized health recommendations.

General Physical

• If you're experiencing illness or suffering, seeking recovery is imperative. To accomplish this, a physical examination is necessary to enable your doctor to identify the underlying issue and determine the best course of action.
• Analyze the dangers of illnesses that can be avoided.
• Doctors do abdominal, head and neck, neurological, and lung checks.
• Your doctor checks your vital signs and reflexes and collects urine and blood samples for analysis.