Tidewater Physicians Multispecialty Group (TPMG) is dedicated to providing you with information pertaining to your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). You may contact your physician’s office directly to schedule your first visit.
Effective January 1, 2011, Medicare began covering an Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). This visit is with your primary care provider, and there are no copays or deductibles for this visit.
Your AWV is not an annual physical, nor should it be confused with the Welcome to Medicare Visit (a one-time visit for patients new to Medicare). Your doctor should be someone who knows you as a person, not just when you are sick. The AWV is designed to help you and your doctor develop an ongoing health plan intended to keep you healthy, safe and independent for a long time.
You AWV will include, in addition to other things:
Medical history
Health risk assessment
Evaluation of your physical condition
Screening for cognitive impairment
Prevention plan set by your provider, including appropriate health screenings
Additional testing if determined necessary by your provider (there may be a fee associated with some services)
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What does the AWV cost?
You pay nothing out of pocket for this visit; however, if additional testing is required, you may incur a copay or deductible expense.
When am I eligible for my AWV?
After you have had Medicare Part B for more than 12 months. If you have had a Welcome to Medicare Visit within the last 12 months, you must wait 12 months to schedule your AWV.
What if I am sick? Can I schedule my sick visit and AWV at the same time?
It will depend on the severity of the illness and your doctor’s schedule, but this may be possible; however, you will be charged for a sick visit at that time.
What is covered during the AWV?
Routine measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI)
Review of medical and family history
Establishing a list of current providers, suppliers, and medications
A personal risk assessment (including any mental health conditions)
A review of functional ability and level of safety
Detection of any cognitive impairment
Screening for depression
Establishing a schedule for Medicare’s screening and preventive services you qualify for over the next 5-10 years
Other advice or referral services that may help intervene and treat potential health risks
Voluntary advanced care planning
Subsequent AWV will include:
Measurement of weight, blood pressure and other measurements deemed appropriate
An update to medical and family history
An update to the list of providers, suppliers, and medications
A review of the initial personal risk assessment
Detection of any cognitive impairment
An updated screening schedule
A review and update to list of referral services to help intervene and treat potential health risks
Is the AWV the same thing as an annual physical exam?
No. An annual physical is a much more extensive physical examination. In addition to collecting a medical history, it may also include: Vital signs checked, lung exam, head and neck exam, abdominal exam, neurological exam, dermatological exam and extremities exam. The AWV should not replace your annual physical.
Will I actually see a doctor during the AWV?
You will see your primary care provider, which could be a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant; however, most of your time may be spent with an allied health professional, such as a nurse or medical assistant who will gather most of your medical history so that your physician can determine an appropriate preventive health screening plan.
What is the difference between the “Welcome to Medicare Visit” and the “Annual Wellness Visit”?
Medicare covers a one-time Welcome to Medicare Visit (see below for what your provider will cover at this visit). Medicare also covers an Annual Wellness Visit every 12 months (see above for what your provider will cover during this visit).
What does the Welcome to Medicare Visit cost?
Effective January 2011, you pay nothing out of pocket for this visit.
What is covered in the Welcome to Medicare Visit?
A Welcome to Medicare Visit is similar to the AWV and includes:
A thorough review of health, education, and counseling about the preventive services covered by Medicare and referrals for other care if needed
Establishing a schedule for Medicare’s screening and preventive services you qualify for over the next 5-10 years
A review of a medical and social history with attention to risk factors for disease detection
A review of an individual’s potential for depression or other mood disorders
A review of the individual’s functional ability and level of safety
An examination to include an individual’s height, weight, blood pressure, visual acuity screen, measurements of body mass index (BMI) and other factors deemed appropriate.
End-of-life planning, upon an individual’s consent
Education, counseling, and referral based on the results of the review and evaluation services described in the previous five components
EKG with interpretation and report
Hearing assessment
Do I need to have my Welcome to Medicare Visit before my AWV?
You do not need to have a Welcome to Medicare Visit before getting an AWV, but if you choose to have the Welcome to Medicare Visit, you will have to wait 12 months before you can have your first AWV.
What if I require further tests or screenings?
Medicare covers many screenings for people who are at high risk for certain diseases. During your AWV, you and your doctor will decide on the appropriate tests and screenings
Call Your TPMG Physician’s Office to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit
