Programs & Services
Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
Your Health. Your Plan. Your Future.
The goal of a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is to help you stay healthy. These visits focus on prevention and long‑term planning rather than a traditional physical exam.
During your Annual Wellness Visit, your provider works with you to create a five‑to‑ten‑year health plan. You will discuss your current health, risks for future health conditions, and steps you can take to protect your well‑being.
Medicare does not cover traditional annual physicals. Instead, Medicare covers Annual Wellness Visits and routine follow‑up appointments.
What Happens During an Annual Wellness Visit
During your visit, your provider may:
- Talk with you about your health goals
- Review your medical and family health history
- Check for risk factors related to conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, or COPD
- Discuss and order preventive screenings to help identify cancer or other conditions early
- Review medications and immunizations
- Take vital signs, including blood pressure
These visits help identify health concerns early, when treatment is often more effective.
Your Role in Preventive Care
You can prepare for your Annual Wellness Visit by:
- Asking your primary care provider about your health risks
- Updating your online health information before your visit, including family history and social habits
- Bringing questions about nutrition, exercise, medications, and financial concerns
- Letting your provider know about recent vaccinations so they can be recorded
Some preventive tests require specific risk factors to be covered by Medicare, especially certain “Blue Chip” Medicare plans.
Planning for the Future
Medicare Annual Wellness Visits also give you time to discuss important health decisions, including:
- Who should make medical decisions for you if you are unable
- What types of medical treatment you would or would not want
- How comfortable you want to be during care
- What you want your loved ones to know
Who Can Receive an Annual Wellness Visit
Medicare Annual Wellness Visits are available to patients with Original Medicare. These visits do not include Medicare Advantage plans.