The Medicare annual wellness visit is a free benefit that will help you make a plan with your health care team for staying healthy. You can have your first annual wellness visit after you have been enrolled in Medicare for 12 months. Then, you can have a follow-up annual wellness visit every 12 months.
What happens during a Medicare annual wellness visit?
During this visit, you will talk with a health care provider about your medical history, current health and risk for certain diseases. Your provider will review your health risk assessment. This is a list of questions about your health, medicines, mood and daily life. Your provider may ask you to complete this list of questions before your visit, or you may complete it during your visit.
Your provider will also:
- Make a list of your health care providers and medications, including vitamins
- Review your medical and family history
- Measure your height, weight and blood pressure
- Review your risk factors for depression
- Check your memory
- Check how well you can take care of yourself and stay safe in your home
Your provider may refer you for additional health screenings or services after the appointment.
How do I schedule my visit?
The easiest way to schedule your annual wellness visit is online, through MyChart. You may also schedule this appointment by calling your provider’s office.
How is the annual wellness visit different from other visits?
This is not the same as a yearly physical exam. Your provider will not listen to your heart and lungs or check other parts of your body. You will probably not have blood tests during this visit.
Who pays for it?
- Medicare will pay for the visit
- Medicare will pay for most screening services you need
- You might owe a copayment for some screening services and follow-up care
What should I bring to my annual wellness visit?
- A list of your health care providers
- The names of your medical equipment supply companies
- A list of your medicines and dosages, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbal supplements
- The names of the pharmacies you use
- An up-to-date advance directive
- Your health risk assessment (if you completed this list of questions on paper)