Understanding Medicare Wellness Visits: A Plain-English Explainer
Medicare Wellness Visits: what it is, why it matters, and what published guidance actually asks of you.
They are a free chance to review your health risks, medicines and screenings, but they are not the same as a full physical exam.
Key takeaways
- "Welcome to Medicare" visit: covered once, within the first 12 months you have Part B
- Annual Wellness Visit: covered once every 12 months after you have had Part B for more than 12 months
- Most useful single change: Bring a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take.
- Commonest mistake: Expecting a full physical exam at the visit.
- See a doctor if any of the signs under "When to speak to a doctor" below apply to you.
The short answer
The "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit and the yearly Annual Wellness Visit, which Medicare Part B covers to plan your preventive care.
Where it fits
This is part of Medicare And Medicaid. The rest of this page works through the figures and then the practical side.
The numbers, in one place
| Measure | Figure |
|---|---|
| "Welcome to Medicare" visit | covered once, within the first 12 months you have Part B |
| Annual Wellness Visit | covered once every 12 months after you have had Part B for more than 12 months |
| Cost | no cost if your provider accepts assignment, though extra tests may have costs |
| What it includes | a health risk assessment, a review of medicines, a check for cognitive problems and a personalized prevention plan |
| Not included | a head-to-toe physical exam or lab tests |
What that means in practice
Translated into things you can actually do:
- Bring a list of all medicines, vitamins and supplements you take
- Bring your family health history and a list of your other doctors
- Ask which screenings and vaccines are due for you
- Mention any falls, memory changes or low mood
What gets people into trouble
Where people most often come unstuck:
- Expecting a full physical exam at the visit
- Raising new problems without asking whether they will be billed separately
- Skipping the visit because you feel well
Related topics
- Annual Wellness Visit: What the Evidence Actually Says (Preventive Care)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Men and Health Services (Men's Health)
- No-Cost Preventive Care: What the Evidence Actually Says (Health Insurance and Costs)
- What the Guidance Really Says About Annual Reviews (Long-Term Conditions)
Where to go next
- Myths About Medicare Wellness Visits, Checked Against the Guidance
- Medicare Wellness Visits: A Beginner-Friendly Start
- Medicare Wellness Visits — the reference entry
- Medicare and Medicaid: The Complete Guide
- What the Guidance Really Says About Dual Eligibility
- Medicare and Medicaid Appeals: What the Evidence Actually Says
When to speak to a doctor
See your doctor promptly for new or worsening symptoms rather than waiting for a wellness visit. Call 911 for chest pain, sudden weakness or numbness, trouble speaking or severe trouble breathing.
Where this comes from
- Medicare.gov — Yearly "Wellness" visits
- Medicare.gov — "Welcome to Medicare" preventive visit
How this page was put together
Every figure, recommendation and warning above is taken from the guidance named in Where this comes from. Nothing on this page is inferred, summarized or generalized beyond what those bodies publish: where they give a number, it is their number, and where they are silent, so are we. Pages are rebuilt whenever the underlying record changes. Sign-off by a named clinician, where it has happened, is shown at the top of the page along with the date.
Medical disclaimer
This article is general information, not medical advice. It cannot account for your own history, medication or circumstances. Always speak to your doctor, pharmacist or another qualified health professional before making changes that affect your treatment, and never delay seeking medical advice because of something you have read here. In an emergency, call 911.
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