Medicare has a benefit called the Annual Wellness Visit that will help you make a plan with your healthcare team for how to stay healthy. This is a free, yearly visit where you will talk with your healthcare provider about your medical history, risk for certain diseases, the current state of your health, and create a personalized prevention plan. 

• Review your Health Risk Assessment, which you may complete before or during your visit. (See a sample Health Risk Assessment.)
• Make a list of providers involved in your health care and a list of medications, including vitamins.
• Take your medical and family history.
• Measure your height, weight and blood pressure.
• Review risk factors for depression.
• Screen for cognitive impairment.
• Review your functional ability and level of safety.
• Create a written screening schedule or checklist for the next 5 - 10 years.

Your healthcare provider might refer you for screenings or services outside of the appointment.

This is not the same as a yearly physical exam. Your healthcare provider will not listen to your heart and lungs or check other parts of your body. You will probably not have blood tests during this visit.

You can get your first Annual Wellness Visit after you have been enrolled in Medicare for 12 months. After your first Wellness Visit, you can get a follow up Wellness Visit every 12 months.

• Medicare will pay for the Annual Wellness Visit. 
• Medicare will pay for most screening services you need.
• You might have to pay a copayment for some screening services and follow up visits.

When you call your doctor’s office, tell them that you would like to schedule your Annual Wellness Visit. They will help you to plan for the visit. They may send you a form about your health to fill out and bring to your appointment.

• A list of your healthcare providers.
• The names of your medical equipment supply companies.
• A list of all of your medicines and dosages, including over-the-counter drugs, vitamins and herbals.
• The names of the pharmacies you use