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Medicare Beneficiaries Need to Know the Difference Between a Wellness Visit and a Physical

April 11, 2019 By Barry Crimmins

Medicare covers preventative care services, including an annual wellness visit. But confusing a wellness visit with a physical could be very costly. 

As part of the Affordable Care Act, Medicare beneficiaries receive a free annual wellness visit. At this visit, your doctor, nurse practitioner or physician assistant will generally do the following: 

  • Ask you to fill out a health risk assessment questionnaire 
  • Update your medical history and current prescriptions
  • Measure your height, weight, blood pressure and body mass index
  • Provide personalized health advice 
  • Create a screening schedule for the next 5 to 10 years
  • Screen for cognitive issues

You do not have to pay a deductible for this visit. You may also receive other free preventative services, such as a flu shot. 

The confusion arises when a Medicare beneficiary requests an “annual physical” instead of an “annual wellness visit.” During a physical, a doctor may do other tests that are outside of an annual wellness visit, such as check vital signs, perform lung or abdominal exams, test your reflexes, or order urine and blood samples. These services are not offered for free and Medicare beneficiaries will have to pay co-pays and deductibles when they receive a physical. Kaiser Health News recently related the story of a Medicare recipient who had what she assumed was a free physical only to get a $400 bill from her doctor’s office.

Adding to the confusion is that when you first enroll, Medicare covers a “welcome to Medicare” visit with your doctor. To avoid co-pays and deductibles, you need to schedule it within the first 12 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. The visit covers the same things as the annual wellness visit, but it also covers screenings and flu shots, a vision test, review of risk for depression, the option of creating advance directives, and a written plan, letting you know which screenings, shots, and other preventative services you should get. 

To avoid receiving a bill for an annual visit, when you contact your doctor's office to schedule the appointment, be sure to request an “annual wellness visit” instead of asking for a “physical.” The difference in wording can save you hundreds of dollars. In addition, some Medicare Advantage plans offer a free annual physical, so check with your plan if you are enrolled in one before scheduling. 

For more information about Medicare, click here.

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Elder Law News, October 2023

Getting older comes with opportunities and challenges, but fear not, we have your back! Are you concerned about Alzheimer’s? While there’s no known cure, proactive steps can help with prevention. Meanwhile, guess what? Signing up for Medicare Savings Programs just got simpler! The Feds have streamlined the process, making it easier to tap into helpful benefits.

Elder Law News, July 2023

Looping our readers in on the issues that impact the senior community is always a priority. And this month, there’s much to share.

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Elder Law News, June 2023

As a trusted counsel for all things relating to eldercare in Massachusetts, I wanted to share pressing topics impacting our beloved seniors.

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As the generation of Baby Boomers ages, many are finding their adult children aren’t in the financial position to provide support if long-term care is needed.

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