Does Medicare Cover Wellness Visits?

Yes, Medicare covers an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV) at 100% if you've had Part B for longer than 12 months. You pay nothing for this visit if your doctor or health care provider accepts assignment. This isn't a traditional head-to-toe physical exam; it's a conversation to update your health risk assessment and create a personalized prevention plan.

When you sit down for your Annual Wellness Visit, your provider will review your medical and family history, update your list of current providers and prescriptions, and check your height, weight, and blood pressure. They will also screen for cognitive impairment and look for signs of depression. The goal is to catch potential issues early and keep you out of the hospital.

It is crucial to understand the difference between the Annual Wellness Visit and a routine physical exam. Medicare does not cover routine physical exams. If your doctor performs tests or services during your wellness visit that aren't covered under the AWV guidelines, you may have to pay a copayment, and the Part B deductible may apply.

Straight answers, no surprises. That's how we operate. The system wants you confused about what's covered and what isn't, but we believe you deserve to know exactly how your benefits work. You've paid into Medicare your whole working life, and you should get every ounce of value out of it.

If you are new to Medicare, you get a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit within the first 12 months you have Part B. This is also covered at 100% and serves as a baseline for your future Annual Wellness Visits.

When looking at your Medicare options, remember that Medsup vs MA is a rigged comparison; the real choice is Traditional Medicare (A+B) vs Medicare Advantage. The supplement decision comes AFTER you choose Traditional Medicare - it's a component of the Traditional path, not an alternative to Advantage. If you choose Traditional Medicare, a supplement fills the gaps by law, covering the coinsurance and deductibles that Medicare leaves behind.