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After 12 months of being enrolled in Medicare Part B, you’re entitled to a free annual wellness visit, also known as AWV, every year. While some patients might skip it if they are feeling in good health, this benefit is focused on preventive care and helps you and your healthcare provider create a long-term plan for maintaining your health and independence. Additionally, depending on your insurance group, this visit might be a requirement for your plan.
You can think of it as your personalized health check-in—needle and lab-work free. It is the ideal space to review your overall health, catch potential issues early, and update your strategies for managing your existing conditions.
In this article, we’ll walk you through six important reasons why taking advantage of your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit can make a meaningful difference in your health and quality of life.
At CareLife Medical, we have a team of specialists who can help you:
- Clarify your Medicare benefits
- Get your Annual Wellness Visit (AWC)
- Assess your health on a yearly basis
- Plan for your future well-being
You can contact our team to book your next Annual Wellness Visit and enjoy all your Medicare benefits.
6 Reasons to Attend Your Annual Medicare Wellness Visit
#1 Early Detection of Health Issues
During your annual wellness visit, your provider will conduct a Health Risk Assessment questionnaire to understand your habits and risks and update your prevention plan accordingly, make routine measurements of your height, weight, blood pressure, etc; conduct additional cognitive and prescription evaluation, and create a screening schedule if needed.
During these procedures, your doctor will check for warning signs that could indicate conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cognitive decline, etc.
#2 Craft a Personalized Prevention Plan
A Personalized Prevention Plan (PPP), also known as a Personalized Prevention Plan of Service (PPPS), is an essential part of your annual wellness visit. It is designed and updated each year to help patients prevent disease and disability, depending on their specific health state and risk factors.
A PPP generally includes:
- Health risk assessment
- Recommendation of additional services like mammograms, cancer screenings, vaccines, etc
- Personalized advice on aspects like lifestyle, nutrition, and exercise
- And more
#3 Review and Update Your Medical History
Depending on your medical experiences and happenings during the last year, your doctor will update your history. This includes any new diagnoses, surgeries, hospitalizations, or health concerns that have arisen since your last visit.
Additionally, your provider can ask about changes in your family history, such as newly discovered hereditary conditions. They will make sure no crucial diagnoses of family history are overlooked, as they can help identify risks and guide decisions on screening tests and preventive measures you should be taking.
#4 Medication Review
If you are taking medications on a regular basis, whether they are prescribed, over-the-counter, vitamins, or supplements, you must inform your provider during your annual wellness visit.
This will allow them to evaluate your prescription, identify or inquire about interactions between drugs or side effects, update dosages and add or remove medications if needed so you can stay at your best health
#5 Cognitive and Mental Health Assessment
After 65 years old, it’s important to monitor your cognitive development, as well as your mental health. During your AWV, your provider will check for warning signs of memory loss, confusion, or cognitive changes that could indicate mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia.
They will also assess your mental and emotional well-being and ask about your mood, sleep, and other symptoms of depression or anxiety.
#6 No Cost to You (If Eligible)
After at least 12 months of being enrolled in Medicare Part B, you get one AWV every year that’s 100% covered by Medicare. This means that, if your provider accepts Medicare assignment, you will pay $0 for this visit.
However, keep in mind that if your doctor orders additional services or tests that Medicare doesn’t cover, you may have to pay out-of-pocket.
Annual Medicare Wellness Visit vs. Other Types of Visits and Physical Exams
Annual Medicare Wellness Visit |
“Welcome to Medicare” Preventive Visit |
Traditional Annual Physical Exam |
|
| Eligibility | All Medicare Part B enrollees after 12 months on Part B; offered once every year thereafter. | New Medicare Part B enrollees; available one-time within the first 12 months of having Part B . | Anyone, as it is not Medicare-specific. |
| Primary Focus | Preventive health planning. Develops or updates your personalized prevention plan each year to keep you healthy. | Initial preventive check-up. Provides a health baseline as you enter Medicare. It focuses on prevention and planning, not on diagnosing new problems. | Comprehensive health evaluation. Checks your current overall health status in detail. Focuses on preventive care and diagnosing any health issues. |
| Covered by Medicare? | Yes. 100% covered by Part B once every 12 months if your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Some conditions may apply. | Yes. 100% covered by Part B (no co-pay or deductible) if done in the first 12 months and your provider accepts Medicare assignment. Some conditions may apply. | Not under Original Medicare. Some Medicare Advantage plans include an annual physical as an extra benefit. |
Get Your Annual Medicare Wellness Visit in Church Falls, Virginia
At CareLife, you will find a compassionate team ready to provide you with a safe and professional space for annual Medicare wellness visits and any other Medicare needs.
Don’t wait until you are sick: contact CareLifeMedical and book your next appointment so you can take proactive care of your health and enjoy all the benefits your plan brings.
Visit or call our Church Falls, Virginia location.
Your life deserves personalized care. Contact us and let us guide you.