For many of us cost can often interfere with making informed healthcare decisions. At TPMG, we understand the burden associated with high medical costs, which is why we are committed to providing patients with quality healthcare services at competitive prices. We want to ensure our patients are well-informed about all their options so they can make the best decision regarding their health. In 2011, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services created the Annual Medicare Wellness Exam for those who have been enrolled in Medicare for more than 12 months.
What is the Annual Medicare Wellness Exam?
The annual wellness exam is not to be confused with an annual physical. This is a separate, additional visit for those who’ve enrolled in Medicare coverage for more than 12 months. The annual wellness exam is at no cost to you unless other acute/chronic conditions are present (e.g., colds, injuries, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.).
This additional exam should not replace your annual physical, instead, this visit aims to address health maintenance and preventative care. Unlike other doctor’s visits, where you might seek medical attention due to sickness, the annual wellness visit aims to provide necessary medical intervention for things that may not be symptomatic or officially diagnosed.
Your Annual Medicare Wellness Exam will include, but is not limited to:
- A review of your family and medical history
- Health risk assessment
- Evaluation of physical condition
- Screening for cognitive impairment
- Developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions
- Personalized health prevention advice
- A prevention plan set by your provider, including appropriate health screenings
Patients who’ve enrolled in Medicare for at least 12 months may utilize the annual wellness once every year. This ensures that the various screening tools are used at the recommended frequency. Make the most out of this free visit, which could make a difference in catching disease progression early when it’s most treatable. Find a TPMG location near you, and schedule your free Medicare Annual Wellness Exam at one of 85 offices in Hampton Roads, VA.
