Get Your Free Medicare Wellness Visit

What Is a Medicare Wellness Visit?

A Medicare wellness visit, also called a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit or an annual wellness visit, is a check-up appointment that Medicare covers at no cost to you. This visit is different from a regular doctor's appointment because it focuses on prevention and overall health screening rather than treating a specific illness or injury.

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During a wellness visit, your doctor reviews your complete health history, takes measurements like blood pressure and weight, and discusses health concerns with you. The visit typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes, though it can run longer depending on your health situation. The main goal is to catch potential health problems early, before they become serious conditions that need expensive treatment.

Medicare covers one wellness visit per year for people with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), your plan may cover wellness visits as well, though the details depend on your specific plan. The visit must take place at a doctor's office, clinic, or other approved medical facility.

Your doctor will ask about your medical history, current medications, any family history of disease, and lifestyle habits like smoking or exercise. They may also discuss mental health, hearing, vision, and bone strength. Some doctors may order lab work or other screening tests during or after the visit.

Practical takeaway: A wellness visit is a free prevention tool that lets you and your doctor talk about your overall health and catch problems early. It's not a treatment visit, but rather a planning session to keep you healthy.

Who Can Get a Medicare Wellness Visit

To receive a Medicare wellness visit at no cost, you must have Original Medicare (Part A and Part B). This means you enrolled in Medicare through the federal government, not through a private insurance company. If you have Medicare Advantage (Part C), you should contact your plan directly to learn what wellness services they cover, as coverage varies by plan.

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You must also be at least 65 years old, or younger if you qualify for Medicare due to disability or end-stage renal disease. Your Medicare coverage must be active and current. If your Medicare coverage has lapsed or you haven't paid your premiums, you should contact Medicare to restore your coverage before scheduling a wellness visit.

New Medicare beneficiaries can schedule a "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit during their first year of coverage. This initial visit includes a detailed health history review, physical measurements, and screening for common health conditions. After that first year, you can schedule an annual wellness visit once every 12 months.

If you recently turned 65 and enrolled in Medicare, you have a window of time to schedule your first wellness visit. The visit should happen within the first year of your Medicare coverage start date. If you miss this window, you can still get an annual wellness visit, but it will be based on a different format that focuses on maintaining your health going forward.

You do not need to meet any other requirements or conditions to receive a wellness visit. Pre-existing health conditions do not disqualify you. Chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, or arthritis do not prevent you from getting a wellness visit—in fact, these conditions make the visit even more valuable for monitoring your health.

Practical takeaway: If you have Original Medicare (Part A and B) and are at least 65 years old, or younger with Medicare due to disability, you can schedule a wellness visit. Check your Medicare card to confirm you have Part A and Part B coverage.

How to Schedule Your Medicare Wellness Visit

The first step is to contact your doctor's office directly. Call the office by phone or visit in person to ask about scheduling a wellness visit. Many primary care doctors and family medicine practices offer these visits regularly. If you don't have a primary care doctor, you can use the Medicare provider search tool on Medicare.gov to find doctors in your area who accept Medicare.

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When you call your doctor's office, tell the staff that you want to schedule a Medicare wellness visit or a preventive visit covered by Medicare. Some offices may call it by different names, such as an "annual preventive visit" or a "preventive care appointment." Be clear that you're looking for a preventive health check-up, not an appointment to treat a specific problem.

The office staff will likely ask for your Medicare number, which appears on your Medicare card. They may also ask about your current medications, recent medical history, and any health concerns you want to discuss during the visit. Provide this information to help the doctor prepare for your appointment.

You can also call Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) if you need help finding a doctor who offers wellness visits or if you have questions about the visit coverage. Medicare staff can answer questions about what to expect and what to bring to your appointment.

Before your appointment, gather important documents. Bring your Medicare card, any insurance cards you have, and a list of all medications you currently take, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements. Write down any questions or health concerns you want to discuss. Arrive a few minutes early to allow time for check-in.

Practical takeaway: Contact your primary care doctor's office directly by phone to schedule a wellness visit. Have your Medicare number ready when you call. If you don't have a doctor, use the Medicare provider search tool to find one nearby.

What to Expect During Your Wellness Visit

During your wellness visit, your doctor will begin by reviewing your complete medical history. They'll ask about past illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and any family history of serious diseases. This helps the doctor understand your health background and identify risk factors you may have inherited or developed over time.

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Your doctor will perform basic physical measurements and tests. These typically include checking your blood pressure, measuring your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI), and checking your heart rate. The doctor may also perform a brief physical exam, listening to your heart and lungs with a stethoscope and checking your abdomen.

The doctor will review all medications you currently take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and supplements. This is important because some medications can interact with each other or cause side effects. The doctor may suggest adjusting doses or switching medications based on your current health status.

Mental health screening is a standard part of the wellness visit. Your doctor will ask questions about mood, stress, depression, or anxiety. They may use a short screening tool to assess your mental health. If concerns arise, the doctor can refer you to a mental health professional or discuss treatment options.

The doctor will also discuss lifestyle habits and risk factors. You'll be asked about smoking, alcohol use, exercise frequency, and diet. The doctor may screen for hearing and vision problems and discuss bone health, particularly for people at risk for osteoporosis. The visit may include discussion about fall prevention, memory concerns, and sexual health.

Depending on your age and health status, your doctor may order lab work or screening tests during the visit. Common screenings include blood tests to check cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and screening for colorectal cancer, breast cancer, or other conditions based on age and risk factors. Some of these tests may be done at a separate appointment or at a lab.

Practical takeaway: Your wellness visit will include reviewing your medical history, basic physical measurements, medication review, mental health screening, and discussion of lifestyle and health risks. Bring a complete list of all medications and any questions you want to discuss.

Costs and Coverage Details

Medicare Part B covers the wellness visit at no cost to you if you have Original Medicare. You pay zero dollars for the visit itself. This means you will not receive a bill from your doctor's office for the wellness visit appointment. However, there are important details to understand about what is and isn't covered.

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The wellness visit itself is fully covered, but any lab work or additional tests ordered during the visit may have different coverage rules. Some preventive screening tests are covered at no cost under Medicare Part B, such as certain cancer screenings, diabetes screening, and cholesterol testing. Other tests or services may have a copay or coinsurance requirement, depending on the specific test and your plan.

If your doctor discovers a health problem during the wellness visit and decides to treat it during the same appointment, that treatment service may have a copay. For example, if the doctor treats a minor cut or removes a mole while you're there, that treatment portion would be billed separately from the wellness visit. This is why it's important to understand the difference between a