What Really Happens at a Medicare Wellness Visit? An Expert Explains
AOL.com • • health
Key Points:
- Medicare Annual Wellness Visits (AWVs) are nonphysical check-ups covered by Medicare Part B that focus on reviewing personal and family medical history, current prescriptions, and creating a personalized prevention plan.
- The visit may include a cognitive assessment to detect early signs of dementia or Alzheimer's, but it is not a traditional physical exam or preventive medical care.
- AWVs are free of charge if conducted by a Medicare-accepting doctor, though additional tests or diagnoses outside the visit's scope may result in out-of-pocket costs.
- Patients should prepare by bringing an accurate list of current medications and medical history, but no special preparation is needed for cognitive assessments.
- After the visit, Medicare patients should prioritize preventive screenings such as blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, lung cancer, mammograms, cervical and colorectal cancer screenings, and prostate exams based on doctor recommendations.
