Medicare Annual Wellness

What is Medicare annual wellness?

Medicare annual wellness is one of the covered benefits for people with Medicare Part B. Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people ages 65 and older and certain younger individuals with disabilities. 

There are three parts of Medicare:

• Medicare Part A (hospital insurance)
• Medicare Part B (medical insurance)
• Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)

Most people with Medicare Part B have to pay a monthly premium and 20% of their medical costs. The Medicare annual wellness visit is a free benefit for Medicare Part B recipients. 

However, the Medicare annual wellness exam isn’t the same as your annual physical exam. The focus of the annual wellness exam is on developing or updating your personalized plan to prevent disease or disability. 

If your provider performs an exam or runs tests during your wellness visit, you may have out-of-pocket fees for those services.

When can I schedule my Medicare annual wellness visit?

You can schedule your Medicare annual wellness visit if you’ve been on Medicare Part B for 12 or more months — then, once a year after that. 

If it’s time for your Medicare annual wellness visit, contact Galenus Group to schedule your appointment.

What happens during a Medicare annual wellness visit?

Your provider at Galenus Group has you complete the Health Risk Assessment questionnaire at the start of your Medicare annual wellness visit. Your answers to these questions help your provider develop your personalized prevention plan. 

Your provider then reviews your medical history, your current doctors, and all the medications you take. Then, they check your height, weight, and blood pressure. 

After your screening, your provider talks to you about your health and risk factors for disease and discusses treatment options. You then develop a schedule for any additional preventive services you need, such as vaccinations or lab services for health screenings.

Additional preventive services aren’t part of your Medicare annual wellness visit. Galenus Group can provide any preventive care services you need, keeping your out-of-pocket costs to a minimum.

Your Medicare annual wellness visit also includes a cognitive test to check for signs of dementia. If you have signs of cognitive impairment, your provider at Galenus Group schedules a follow-up visit for a more thorough evaluation. Medicare covers the cost of this follow-up visit.

At Galenus Group you can expect great physicians and quality care you can trust. Call or schedule your Medicare annual wellness visit online today.