• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
Hide Search
Twin City Underwriters logo

Twin City Underwriters

  • Medicare
    • Medicare Resource Guide
    • Webinars & Workshops
    • How to Enroll
    • Coverage & Costs
    • Advantage Plans & Supplemental Plans
    • Medigap
    • Medicare Parts A, B and C
    • Medicare Part D
    • SurePlanĀ® Medicare System
    • FAQs
  • Life Insurance
  • Annuity
  • Other Insurance
    • Dental Insurance
    • Health Insurance
    • Travel Coverage
  • News
  • Events
    • In-Person
    • Online
    • Annuity
    • Life Insurance
    • Medicare
    • View All Events
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Testimonials
  • Contact
  • Show Search

Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit

June 15, 2022 | Andrea Bassett

Did you know that within the first 12 months of getting part B of Medicare, you get a free ā€œWelcome to Medicareā€ preventive visit with your primary care provider? You do! Each year thereafter, Medicare will cover the cost of an Annual Wellness Visit. It is important to know what these Wellness Visits are and what they do and do not cover.

Read More: Does Medicare Cover Basic Screenings?

The Welcome to Medicare and Annual Wellness Visits are really conversations with your doctor.  They are NOT the same as physical examinations.  An annual Physical might be covered if you have additional health coverage such as a Medicare Advantage Plan (MA/MAPD).  When you call to schedule your appointment, be sure to request the specific type of appointment you want so that the doctor’s office will code and bill it correctly. 

What Happens at an Annual Wellness Visit?

At the ā€œWelcome to Medicareā€ visit, you will fill out a questionnaire called a ā€œHealth Risk Assessment.ā€ Your answers will help you and your doctor create a personalized plan for staying healthy.  

The assessment will cover topics such as:

  • Your medical and family history. (If you are new to a doctor or clinic, bring your medical records, including a list of immunizations.)
  • Your current doctors and prescription medications, including the dosage and frequency and reason you take them.
  • Routine checks of height, weight, blood pressure, hearing, and vision.
  • Information about preventative health services, such as health screenings and immunizations.
  • Personalized health advice.
  • Advanced care directives, such as living wills.

You will also complete a cognitive assessment to check for signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. If your doctor recommends it, Medicare will cover the cost of a separate visit to do a more thorough cognitive evaluation.

Read More: Will Original Medicare Meet My Coverage Needs?

Be aware, if you ask for or if your doctor performs additional tests or services during your Annual Wellness Visit beyond those listed above, you could be charged for the visit. During your appointment, ask questions to help understand what your doctor is recommending and why.


The Benefits of Annual Wellness Visits

Annual Wellness Visits offer you a free visit to talk with your doctor and to clarify what risk factors you should be watching for, and any issues you should report to your doctor. You will be able to map out a plan to schedule preventative services.

If further appointments, tests, or screenings are recommended, you have time to ask questions so you can fully understand what your doctor is recommending. You may want to call your insurance broker or health insurance company to ask how those additional services will be covered so you can anticipate the costs.

These visits are intended to help you stay on track for a healthy lifestyle and to catch issues early on. So, take advantage of these free visits!  Remember to request them by name so that are scheduled and billed correctly. 


Contact us at Twin City Underwriters for more tips on getting the most out of your health care plan!

Choosing a Medicare plan can be difficult. Twin City Underwriters helps Medicare recipients in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa and Florida find the Medicare plan that meets their unique needs. Schedule a one-on-one meeting with one of our Medicare insurance brokers to get your questions answered!

Categories: Medicare, News Tagged With: annual wellness visit, health, medicare, senior

Related Posts

The Importance of National Blood Donor Month

January is National Blood Donor Month, an effort to publicize the importance of blood donation and encourage people to donate...

What You’ll Learn at a Medicare Workshop

At Twin City Underwriters, we help Medicare enrollees feel more at ease and in control over their healthcare decisions. Many...

Does Medicare Cover Depression Screenings?

With the current state of the world, it is no surprise that mental health concerns are on the rise. Awareness...

Footer

Subscribe

Subscribe to our quarterly email and get quality information about Medicare, our Workshops, and other healthcare-related news.

Quick Links

  • Appointment Information
  • Glossary of Medicare Terms
  • SurePlanĀ® Medicare System
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Career Opportunities

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area.
Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Contact Us

2233 Hamline Avenue North

Suite 615

Roseville, MN 55113

651-444-1190

info@tcunderwriters.com

Twin City Underwriters, Inc. BBB Business Review
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube

Copyright © 2023 | Twin City Underwriters, INC. | All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use |Minneapolis Web Design by BizzyWeb | Log in