What is a Medicare annual wellness visit?A Medicare annual wellness visit is a yearly health planning visit with your primary health care professional. It is available to anyone who has Medicare Part B. During the visit, you and your clinician will work together to create a plan that helps you stay healthy and avoid getting sick. Because this visit is to discuss your general health and wellness, it might not take place in an exam room.What will happen at my Medicare annual wellness visit? At your annual wellness visit, make sure to have your Medicare information card with you. Although this type of visit doesn’t include a physical exam, you will still get to talk to the clinician about any health concerns you have. You can schedule your annual wellness visit and a visit for a health problem on the same day, but they will count as two separate services.How much does a Medicare annual wellness visit cost?Medicare annual wellness visits are fully covered under Medicare Part B. This means that if you have Medicare Part B, the visits are free if you go to a healthcare professional who takes Medicare. You will not have to pay coinsurance, co-payments, or a deductible.If you get other tests not normally given at an annual wellness visit, you may be charged for them. These may also include treatments for a condition you already have.
Our Medicare Patients: Medicare Annual Wellness and Other Preventive VisitsSince 2001, Medicare covers an “Annual Wellness Visit” in addition to the one-time “Welcome to Medicare” exam. The “Welcome to Medicare” exam occurs only once during your first twelve months as a Medicare patient. You may receive your Annual Wellness Visit after you have been with Medicare for more than one year, or it has been at least one year since your “Welcome to Medicare” exam. The table below lists what is included in the visit and what is not. You may be charged for anything that is not included.
Planning a wellness visit
Coffey Health System partners with the Overdose Data Action Program to provide education about alternatives to opioid medications. Opioids are a family of highly addictive drugs including prescription painkillers such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine, as well as illicit drugs like heroin. Studies find that pain management can be achieved through safer alternatives. Please click on the link (at left) to learn more about non-opioid treatment options to discuss with your physician.