What is the Difference Between a Welcome to Medicare Visit  vs. an Annual Wellness Visit?

 A "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit: Is an introductory visit only within the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history with your Primary Physician, as well as possibly including preventive services, including:

• Certain screenings, shots, and referrals for other care, if needed
• Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements
• A calculation of your body mass index
• A simple vision test
• A review of your potential risk for depression and your level of safety
• An offer to talk with you about creating "Advanced Directives"
• A written plan letting you know which screenings, shots, and other preventive services you need. 

This visit is covered one time. You don't need to have this visit as a "prerequisite," to be covered for yearly "Wellness" visits.

Annual "Wellness" visits: If you've had Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get this visit to develop or update a personalized prevention help plan. This plan is designed to help prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors. Your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a "Health Risk Assessment," as part of this visit. Answering these questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit. It can also include:

• A review of your medical and family history
• Developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions
• Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements
• Detection of any cognitive impairment
• Personalized health advice
• A list of risk factors and treatment options for you
• A screening schedule (like a checklist) for appropriate preventive services. 

This visit is covered once every 12 months (11 full months must have passed since the last visit).

Who's eligible?

All people with Part B are covered.

Your costs in Original Medicare

You pay nothing for the "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit or the yearly "Wellness" visit if your doctor or other qualified health care provider accepts assignment with Medicare  The Part B deductible doesn't apply for annual wellness visits.

However, you may have to pay coinsurance, and the Part B deductible may apply if:

• Your doctor or other health care provider performs additional tests or services during the same visit (ex: an EKG or draws blood).
• The additional tests or services aren't covered under the preventive benefits.

An "Annual Exam" is where your Primary Care Physician will provide a "hands on" examination of you and you may have tests like an EKG or have blood drawn.

Co-pays, coinsurance and deductibles will apply for Annual Exams.

 

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