Annual Wellness Visit - Medicare

Information for Medicare Beneficiaries

Our practice is pleased to provide you the following information that may improve your access to affordable healthcare if you are a Medicare beneficiary. On this page, please find information about:

• Annual Wellness Visits - Medicare
• Important clarifications about Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare Beneficiaries
• Your Resources for more information about Annual Wellness Visits

Annual Wellness Visits

With recent enhancements to government healthcare regulations, you and your family members may be eligible for preventive care services at no cost. Under the Affordable Care Act, if you have Original Medicare you may qualify for a yearly wellness exam and many preventive services for free or without deductible or copayment. The preventive services you may qualify for include:

• Bone mass measurement
• Cervical cancer screening, including Pap smear tests and pelvic exams
• Cholesterol and other cardiovascular screenings
• Colorectal cancer screening (except for barium enemas)
• Diabetes screening
• Flu, pneumonia, and hepatitis B shots
• HIV screening for people at increased risk or who ask for the test
• Mammograms
• Medical nutrition therapy to help people manage diabetes or kidney disease
• Prostate cancer screening (except digital rectal examinations)
• Tobacco use cessation counseling
• Yearly wellness exams

Some important clarifications about Annual Wellness Visits for Medicare Beneficiaries

• For some preventive services, you may pay nothing. For some services you may be required to pay co-insurance (a part of the cost) for the office visit when you receive these services.
• Your first yearly wellness exam cannot take place within 12 months of your "Welcome to Medicare" physical exam.
• If you're in a Medicare Advantage Plan, check with your plan to see if these benefits will also apply to you.

Your Resources for more information about Annual Wellness Visits

More complete information can be found at www.healthcare.gov, a federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. You can find additional information about Preventive Services under the Medicare pages on www.healthcare.gov).

You should also contact your plan administrators for the most complete information on how you may qualify for these benefits.