Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
Have you scheduled your FREE Medicare Annual Wellness Visit?
As a member of Medicare, you are entitled to a FREE Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). These visits are 100% covered by Medicare with no out of pocket expense to you.
About Medicare Annual Wellness Visits
An Medicare Annual Wellness Visit can help catch potential issues early on. Yearly preventative wellness visits are a way to have honest conversations with members of your health care team to discuss health concerns, identify any health risks, and help you to make positive lifestyle changes so you can get or stay as healthy as possible.
At your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit, a member of your health care team will talk to you about your medical history and your health care goals, and review your risk factors. They will work with you to create a personalized prevention plan to keep you healthy. If you need any additional appointments or it’s time for routine preventative medicine like a mammogram or colonoscopy, they will set these up for you.
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not the same thing as what many people refer to as their “yearly physical exam.” Medicare is very specific about what the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes and excludes. This visit is a discussion of the current state of your health and does not include a comprehensive physical exam. The goal of an AWV is to help you identify and reach your goals in getting or staying healthy.
It is advised to schedule another visit along with or at the same time as the AWV to allow for appropriate time to address all your concerns. You should know that any conditions or concerns that are addressed outside of the scope of the AWV will be subject to charges or co-pays and covered according to Medicare’s coverage guidelines. Your healthcare team can help you find out what recommended tests are covered.
Schedule Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit Today
Faribault 507-334-1601
Farmington 651-460-2300
Kenyon 507-623-0123
Lakeville 952-469-0500
Northfield 507-646-1494
Benefits of a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
- Creation of an individualized prevention health plan
- Assessment of your abilities and safety at home
- Discussion of risks and how to prevent them
- Record of your height, weight, body mass index and blood pressure
- A review of your family, medical and social histories
- Screening for depression or other mood disorders
- Coordination of any future appointments, test or procedures
- Referral for patient education or community resources
- Discussion regarding Living Will/Advance Care Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the benefit of doing an Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV)?
Your AWV can help catch potential issues early on and serve as a way to have honest conversations with your health care team to discuss health concerns, identify any health risks, and help you to make positive lifestyle changes so you can get or stay as healthy as possible.
How is an AWV different from an annual physical or medication check appointment?
The Medicare Annual Wellness Visit is not the same thing as what many people refer to as their “yearly physical exam.” Medicare is very specific about what the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit includes and excludes. This visit is a discussion of the current state of your health. It does not include a hands-on exam (such as listening to your heart or lungs), any lab testing or any discussion about new or current medical problems, conditions, or medications. The only hands on portion of the visit is taking your vital signs - blood pressure, pulse, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and temperature. The goal of an AWV is to help you identify and reach your goals in getting or staying healthy.
What if I have a medical concern or medication to discuss with my provider at the same time as the AWV?
It is advised to schedule another visit along with or at the same time as the AWV to allow for appropriate time to address all of your concerns. You should know that any conditions or concerns that are addressed outside of the scope of the AWV will be subject to charges or co-pays and covered according to Medicare’s coverage guidelines. Your healthcare team can help you find out what recommended test are covered.
Are clinical laboratory tests part of the AWV?
No, the AWV does not include any clinical laboratory tests. However, your provider may make referrals for tests as part of the AWV, if appropriate. If these tests are diagnostic rather than preventative, you may incur a co-pay or deductible. Your healthcare team can help you find out what recommended test are covered.